The Jasper news., 1907-08-22
FIXING OF THE COST
THE FACTORS IN PRICES OF
COMMODITIES.
Observation-Disclosures
Equity In Division Of Profits to All
Engaged In Producing, Manufae-
turing and Selling.

Informed as to principles underlying
business transactions and commerce
in general there would be less cause
for complaint as to matters pertain
ing to buying and selling Of COM
modities
One of the faults, II 1t may be 30
termed, is the inclination Of the
people to complain about prices they
must pay for goods required for do
nestle and other uses. There can be
no doubt but that in many districts
retail merchants exact exorbitant
prices, this to an extent is the fault of
the people who are little acquainted
With real values. There are three Inn
portant things to be considered in the
fixing of the selling price of all COM
modities. These factors are the cost
of the raw materials, the expense OF
manufacturing and the expense Of dis
tribution. From commercial transac-
tons neither of these basic elements
can be eliminated. The farmer who Is
the grower of corn, wheat and other
cereals that comprises food stuffs, re-
ceives compensation for his product
In accordance with the laws Of sup
ply and demand, and the values that
may regulate the monetary markets of
the world. The producer of cotton in
the southern states, must receive for
his product compensation that is
based upon the cost Of labor, manu-
facture and what finished articles in
the cotton line may bring in the mar
kets OF the world. The producer of
the raw materials must pay for his
labor, and for his investment in farm
lands and farm equipment. The man.
ufacturer who buys the raw products
must take into consideration the ex-
pense of labor, the maintenance of his
manufacturing plant, the interest
upon the amount invested, and also
various other items, and the sum of
these with what he can secure for his
finished product, regulates the price
that he pays for the raw material In
the distribution of goods the middle
man plays an important part. He is
the go-between the producer Of the
raw material the manufacturer, and
the manufacturer and the consumer
He cannot well be eliminated from
commercial transactions. He per-
forms service that neither the pro-
Queer of the raw material or the man
ufacturer can more economically per-
form. The middle men are the job
bers, the commission agents and the
retailers; each performing his special
service in the matter Of distribution.
The consumer Is the end of the chain,
the final buyer of commodities who
utilizes them for his own use and the
uses of his family. There should be
a margin of profit in each of the
different transactions that will allow
equitable compensation to each and
every one interested in the production
of finished article. All goods have
real value and this value is deter
mined solely by the elements referred
to herein. The consumer must expect
to contribute his mite towards the
support OF all engaged In commerce.
He Is the beginning link, as well as
the ending link of every transaction.
The farmer who grows wheat, when
he forces the grocer from whom he
buys his flour to sell the flour at a
low rate. indirectly has an influence
in lowering the market for the wheat
that he produces. When tae consum-
or demands that goods be sold at a
price below the cost of production, he
invites substitution of inferior goods,
adulteration of the articles, and en-.
courages system that is unwhole-
some.