Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-30
PROMISE OF FULL
INVESTIGATION
----------------
High Price of Living Due to Many
Causes of Local
Nature.
GRoCERS PROMISE TO SPLIT.
Much Opposition to the Management
Expressed in Various Quar-
ters Today.

The elevator boy IN the Atlas block
unconscously made a rather pertinent
comment on the local trend of public
opinion this morning when he was
asked to direct passenger to the
headquarters of the Butchers and Groc-
ers' association,
III YOU go up there quick" he said.
youll find them at 499 to the right.
but II you put It of long it looks from
the papers like you'd have TO hunt
for 'em elsewhere"
The proposed investigation into the
causes for the present high price of
living in Salt Lake Is taking the shape
today of a speed contest in which the
Manufacturers and Merchants assocl-
alton Is trying To beat a grand jury To
the task.
MOVE FOR A COMMITTEE,
member Of the executive committee
Of the Manufacturers and Merchants
association was busy this morning de-
liVeTlng letters to various organiza-
tons. These letters asked for the APP
pointment of committee of two from
each association at present repnted to
be working for the general welfare. this
composite committee to be given power
TO canvass the entire situation and
make report through the public
press.
The associations asked TO Join in the
movement are the Butchers and Groc-
ers. the Commercial club, the Real
Estate association. and the State Fair
association, the five organizations rep
resented contributing total OF ten
committeeman.
INVITATION DELIVERED.
The invitations were ali delivered by
noon today, but whether they Will be
accepted is not yet known, President
Hewlett of the NJ. and NJ is emphatic
in declaring that the purpose is TO
make rigid and real investigation,
and not merely TO "whitewash the sit
uation" lie declares that every
move to reduce the cost of living here
is a move towards greater salt
Lake. and that a collection of organi-
cations AL pulling towards TINS end
and for exact honest and fairness In
ali commercial transactions can do
much more than through trying to
perfect combinations TO shelter UNI
reasonable prices. He maintained
most vigorously that there was no IN
tention to form q price-boosting ALI
ance in the move 10 consolidate the
working forces of the M. and M. and
the working forces of the y. and g.
association but only an intention 10
reduce office expenses, and work to-
gether TO boost Utah goods IN the
Utah markets by regular and legfti-
mate means
THE RESOLUTION.
The text of the resolution passed
by the Nj. and NJ association last night
Is as follows:
"Resolved. That a committee be APP
lsainteI TO Investigate the cost of
living in this city for the last four
years and report the reason for the ad-
vance by publication in the Salt Lake
papers.
This committee to be composed Of
two members from each of the fol-
lowing associations: The Commercial
club. Salt Lake Real Estate associa-
ton Utah State Fair association
Butchers and Grocers' association and
the Manufacturers and Merchants as
ISOLATION"
WITHOUT UNDUE EXCITEMENT.
From expressions made today by sew
eral members of the NJ. and NJ. direc-
torate the feeling in that association
Is that il is now an ou?ortune time
to have thorough overhauling of all
the causes for the present high prices,
and that every item contributing 70
these that can be eliminated should
be eliminated without historical re-
sort to inhamatory methods, or
working in an unduly excited frame
OF mind The feeling Is also general
that when the story is finally told
the high rents, the high taxes the
high jobbing commissions, the high
freight rates. and the nign cost Of
materials in other market centsrs Will
share the responsibility with the conf
binations alleged to exist in jobbing
and retail circles.
SIGNS OF DIVISION.
That all is not harmony within the
Butchers and Grocers' association is
evident from the expressions of mem
bers today, Eli Price, Main street
grocer says that he has never at
tended the meetings, although he Is n
member but that he resented belong
ing TO any association which did not
leave each member absolutely free To
sell at what price he wished. and when
proof was submitted to him that Lor-
EMO Jensen had tried to boycott any
firm. he would resign his membership
Immediately. Much sentiment against
Jensen was found to exist and II is
among the probabilities OF the near
future that the Butchers and Grocers'
association itself viii divide up IN its
own ranks over the exposures OF the
past few days
WILLING TO HELP,
Many srocers today maintain that
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