Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-06
Advance In the Prices of Com
modities Noticeable In
Great Britain
NOT CONFINED TO THE STATES
Statistics Show Cost of Living Has
Advanced in England to Consider
able Degree in 1so2-comment on
Commercial Conditions in the Old
World.

! Washington, May .6.-It appears that
| in England as in the United States at
/ the present time. Prof. Sauerbeck' 5
annual statement Prices of Commodi-
| ties published in the Journal of the
British Royal Statistical Society, for
| March 81, 1903, Just received by the
| Treasury Bureau of Statistics, show
| high prices in foodstuffs, in iron, and
/; in textiles, during the year 1902. The
| statement begins with series of In
deX number tables, showing index
prices for groups of articles from 1898
to 1902. The index number for the
stands at 63 for the year 1902, against
60 in 1899 and SO in 1895; that for ami
nal food" stands 81 in 1902, against II
in 1898 and Is in 1896; that for min
erals stands at 50 in 1902 against 20
in 1898 and g. in 1895; that for tex
tiles stands at 81 in 1902. against 81 in
1898 and 81 in 1896; and the index num-
Der for the group designed "sundry ma
terials' stands at II in 1902, against
GO in 1895 and 62 in 1897. Comment
ing upon these figures the statement
says: Meat was dear during the
greater part of the year. and beef ruled
in June and July higher than at any
time since 1888 Scotch pig
iron rose from 49s per ton to SIS. I'D.
in September, and dropped to 53s. Sd.
at the end of the year. Flax
was higher in the summer, but lost
the advance later on. Jute was dearer
in the second half of the year; fine wool
advanced $3.50 per cent. Silk ruled
also higher Tallow, palm oil, and nj
trate were dearer.''
Commenting upon commercial condi-
lions, the report says: The exports
from the United Kingdom were some
what larger, which was principally due
to the American demand for iron and
some other commodities, and to the
greater exports to South Africa. The
shipments, on the other hand, to In
dia, Australasia, Japan and Argentina
We're smaller. In Germany, Austria and
Russia the depression continued
throughout the year, and France was
affected by a coal strike in the last
We're large, and the supply of some
other commodities, particularly sugar,
coffee and cotton was very heavy"
Commenting upon conditions in the
United States, the report says: The
United States have again occupied an
exceptional position. II a year ago
fears were expressed ttat the state of
affairs there was not free from danger
il must now be admitted that they We're
premature, as the marvellous prosperity
has continued undated 10 the present
day. American securities had another
boom, and tho reaction followed, the
last prices still occupy high level. 1.
is estimated that the iron production OF
the states reached the enormous total
of 100000 tons, and even this was in
sufficient for the requirements"
Commenting upon the prospects for
1908. the report says THE prospects
for the present year are, IL anything, q
little more hopeful. Adverse points in
this country are still high taxation, I'M
government loans and high
prices of meat; but the corn crops of
the world were plentiful, the develop
nent In South Africa will no doubt be
important, the condition in Australia |
is improving, and it is not improbable I
that the trade to the east and also to |
the Argentine Republic will also in
crease. In Germany the period of liz |
Lidation seems to be coming to an end |
ond return of confidence may be near
Ut hand, but the recovery after the seri !
Gus depression will naturally be a slow I
one. Much Will depend upon the United I
States. Continued activity Will benefit |
Europe as well, while sudden break
would cause a stoppage of American |
demand and perhaps a flood of Ameri
can products into Europe"