The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-10-31
COST Of LIVING
ON DOWN GRADE
Drop in Butter and Meat Prices
Shows Trend of the
Times.
FURNITURE MARKET DOWN
6RASPlNG LANDLORDS MAY RE-
CEIVE A LESSON.

AS a direct result of the stringency
in the money market, there is promised
a substantial decrease n the exorbitant
cost of living in Salt Lake. Prices of
nearly all commodities have been re-
duced within the past few days and a
greater reduction will unquestiCnably
come until the necessities of life reach
a normal basis. Already a reduction
of 10 per cent in the price Of meats has
become effective. Butter, eggs and
produce dropped yesterday. The most
noticeable drop was in butter. from 50
to 30 cents a pound.
This reduction in the cost Of living
will not be confined alone to articles
of food. but will doubtless include rent
ais as we'll. A we'll known real estate
man was severe in his criticism yes
terday of landlords for charging in
many instances. especially in apart
ment houses. almost prOhibitive rents.
He said that apartment house owners
who charge moderate rent are get
ting excellent returns on the invest
ment, but that the majority of them
have sought to take advantage of alb
normal conditions TO charge eXOrbitant
figures.
He cited the case of an investment
WHICH tCNcnAlg otIACtl llOIACc
that all the rents on flats and cottages
which it controls viii be raised ma
terially. He said that this company
had already raised its rate of rentals
twice, and that instead of further in
crease in the rates. the present condi-
lions warrant reduction. His opinion
- was that this Increase would create
much dissatisfaction among the ten
ants, many of whom had occupied the
fats since the erection of the buildings
The obvious result of such a policy
he pointed out would be the removal
of these tenants to other apartment
houses as soon as they are completed.
There are many of these fiat buildings
in the course Of construction, and sew
eral of the owners have said that the
rents to be charged will be moderate.
Furniture Going Down.
Furniture also is on the decline. In
anticipation of a reduction III the fac
tory price of furniture, local dealers are
preparing to move present stocks al
low rates to make room for purchasing
at the reduction in the factory price
One dealer yesterday sent out circular
letters TO his customers advising them
that as a result of the present market
conditions he would soon be able tC
purchase his stock at much smaller
figure than formerly. In preparing for
this reduction he announced that all OF
the present stock would be sold at a
material sacrifice.
Other reductions in the prices of food
stuffs are expected to follow the drop
yesterday of butter from 80 to 80 cents
a pound. Retailers were not prepared
for the sudden decline in the price OF
butter, and some of them are selling
that commodity for less than the price
actually charged by the wholesalers
F. T. Collins of the Eclipse Grocery
company stated yesterday that one 81
the dairy companies had delivered sew
eral hundred pounds of butter at the
store during the day, for which he was
compelled to pay 81 cents a pound, al
though the retail price had dropped Il
80 cents. This was because the order
had been placed before the slump II
butter.
Yesterdays decline in butter makes
a 10 cent reduction within a month
Salt Lake dealers say that for years
the average price of butter has beer
about so cents. II was forced IN t
40 cents a short time ago. but thai