The Tucson citizen., 1902-08-28
WRGES AND COST OF LIVING.

Figures published by the Treasury
Ebureau Of statistics and the department
of labor at Washington in regard to
changes in wages and prices of commo-
dities in recent years are said to show
that wages since 1896 have increased
but from 10 to Is per cent, while COM
modities have advanced from 20 to 33
per cent. Wages, as usual, have
moved slowly, but commodities have
responded quickly to the mutations of
supply and demand and the manipula-
tions of trusts and combines. Wages
in 1896 were low, but it is held that in
that year a given amount of money
would buy more than in 1902. 1t is
conceded that conditions vary. The
rate of wages is different in one part
of the country from what it is in an
other part, and city wages are higher
commonly in certain pursuits than
country wages. The changes since
1896 have not been uniform. Some
trades, experiencing brisker deman
than others, have made larger gains.
But all have made some gains, and in
some trades the gains have been con-
siderable.
Similarly in regard to prices of COM
modities, some of which have increased
since 1896, while others have fallen.
LAS a rule prices have, as already
stated, advanced The average price"
found by taking hundred different
commodities, has considerably in
creased, and this increase is larger
than the increase in the price of labor,
even when a deduction has been made
for the material shortening of the
hours of labor since 1896. 1t is pos
sible that to some extent the increased
abundance of gold tells upon prices
AS regards such articles as coffee and
cotton the price has been fixed, it is
generally believed, by the Statistical
position or the extent of the supply
in reference to the demand Coffee
thus by the operation of natural
causes has been low and cotton and
certain grains have been high. Meat,
particularly beef, has been exception
ally high. Whether it's high price is
due, as some assert, to deficient sup
Ip1y, or, as others contend, to the wiles
of a combine" of dealers, the fact re-
mains that the wage-earner's pur-
chases of beef and coal are much alb
breviated. He can not live as we'll as
he formerly could on the same wages.
Even though some articles are sold
lower than formerly, still from causes
natural or artificial the greater number
of his purchases are made at enhanced
prices. If this be the case the present
prosperity is less for him than is COM
monty represented to be. No doubt
employment is more general than in
1896. 1t is easier now than then 60
get wages, good Or bad. But it re-
mains that the advances in prices in re-
cent years-whatever the cause of the
several advances-have to a large ex-
tent neutralized the advance in wages
The injury is not confined to wage
earners, but extends to all who live on
fixed incomes. The clerk or salesman
the widow who lives on rents or inter-
est payments, clergymen and others
having stated salaries, all find that,
while their incomes do not increase, it
costs more to live than formerly, and
they would welcome an era of lower
prices. There are in every community
large number of voters who are more
anxious for more natural and reason
able range of prices, and will at the
first opportunity endeavor to secure the
repeal Of laws that enhance prices, and
thus rob Peter to pay Paul.