The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-19
COST OF LIVING
GROWING HIGHER.
An Increase Of More Than 90
Per Cent. Average During
Past Two Years.
RENTS WILL BE ADVANCED
RENTS WILL BE ADVANCED
Staple and Fancy Groceries
Fresh and Salt Meats and
Vegetables Rise.

Almost universal complaint is heard
of the steady advance in the price or
food products and of almost all the
necessaries OF life and table dolicu-
cies. The extent of this advance with
in the past eighteen months or two
years is varously stated, and it is
difficult to get an accurate estimate OF
the increase. 1t may be. safely stated
that the rise in prices OF food sturs
within two years will average 30 or
% per cent, and in many specific cases
the increase amounts to as much as
40 per cent.
Rents TO Go Up.
This statement applies not only to
staple groceries, but to green grocer
les, fresh meats. canned goods, salt
meats and practically everything re-
CURED for the table. The explanation
is not clear nor is it adequate to cx:-
plain the universal advance. BY most
persons it is attributed to the general
employment of all persons who desire
to work and to what is usually sum
med up in the word prosperity. More
people have money with which to buy,
there is a larger demand, and with
only q normal supply prices naturally
go up. In some cases the rise is at
tributable to combinations and pract-
cal control OF tho market by large
firms and corporations. But be the cX-
PLANTATION what it may, the fact that
prices have advanced is undeniable.
1t will not be pleasant news to the
man who rents his home to know that
there is q strong probability, and, in
fact, almost a certainty, that rents will
be advanced September LIST, at the be-
ginning OF the new rental year. This
whit 10, ic nfIicin1lv ~
nounced. is estimated at 10 to 20 per
cent and in general will approximate
the latter figure. Owing to the cost
OF labor and advanced prices for all
building material and the scarcity of
labor at any price, building is more
expensive and rents will be based upon
present values Of buildings rather than
upon the initial cost.
Some Comparisons.
The Times-Dispatch yesterday took
the trouble to secure from grocers an
estimate Of the amount of advance in
the price of most staple and fancy
groceries and meats, with the follow
Ing result:
Flour un-pound bnEs), IS cents
two years ago; NOW 30 cents. or
$500 per barrel. compared with
Ss..5 eighteen month ago.
Hams, 10 cents Il pound n year
ago: now is to 20 cents
Butter. formerly "S to 70 cents;
now 81 cents per pound.
Lard, formerly 10 cents; now i!
cents per pound.
salt pork, formerly 10 cents; now
!. cents.
Granulntcd sugar, formerly 3 IL
cents; now ) cents.
Meal, formerly IS cents; now 20
cents per peck.
EGGS, formerly 10 ana is cents;
now 20 cents.
Cheese. formerly is cents; now
IL cents.
Canned tomatoes. formerly 10
cents: now l. cents.
Canned peaches, formerly Is
cents; now 20 cents.
Smnll cans peaches, formerly 10
cents: now II L. cents.
Irish potatoes, formerly is to 70
cents: now :5 cents per peck.
BecfstcnIs, formerly ]" cents;
now 20 cents per pound.
Pork, formerly /" l.: cents; now
10 cents.
Roast OF lamb, formerly 10 cents;
now IS cents per pound.
Pork chops, formerly 10 cents;
now 10 cents.
Veal, formerly 10 ceht'' no" 70
i,ne5,, formerly 10 cents, now 20
cents.
nccf, 10 to 10 l.: cents; now
T. l." to 70 cents.
Sausage, formerly 3 cents; now
IL 1-2 cents.
Prices of salt fish. fresh fish. gree
groceries and vegetables of every kim
have advanced as much or more, Blu
nriccs fluctuate on vegetables so mucl
that it is difficult to compare them.