Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-14
INCREASED COST OF LIVING.

It is generally every agency concerned the
production distribution of wealth about to enter the
enjoyment of period prosperity unparalleled recent
years crops abundant and command good prices
it hoped good level will be maintained The railroads
other transportation companies showing increase in
their earnings week. the number OF idle cars dmnh
manufacturing industry taking on healthier aspect and
the outlook general is good
consent, the cloud the horizon is the
increase in the cost of living compared with previous years
signs dscernibe that this cost will be decreased
recently published comparative figures showing
Just had been the increase the cost of the leading
commodities which into the daily consumption of the
average man. as compared with 1896 which the
mark for and also with other intervening years
These figures show that there has been increase of
forynn per during the past thirteen years in the
cost of the staple articles OF consumption and that while
fluctuations the of few commodities
during that time the general level of prices has been constantly
upward
spend dollar and forty cents to buy those
of life which, thirteen he could have bought for
dollar.
give few striking illustrations it pointed that
beef which cost five and half cents pound I'm
from five and half eleven from twelve
Chicago eight and quarter twentyone and threquar
potatoes pr hundred and eighty pounds from
cents TO one dollar and seyentvfve cents and -four
from three dollars quarter dollars per barrel
There have been fluctuations we have pointed out
1896 and twentyeght dollars four later,
actually cheaper than they thirteen The
same is other commodities; repeat the
general level than forty cent higher than
thirteen years ago. and considerably higher than
This is true merely of those commodities which go
the table, but of practically everything which enters into the
Of the household The fgurewhich not local. but
taken from the recognized centers of distribution
that coal which dollars and sevenyfve cents ton
thirteen costs three dollars and hive cents ton
Yellow pine has advanced from dollars to twenree
dollars thousand feet and cotton sheetngs from four and three
quarters threequarers cents yard
These items outside of the provisions which the table,
show that there has been advance all along the e and the
inereaseestabshed time since but showing sign of
dmnishing-is the shadow upon the horizon
Though 1t stands alone constitutes very important em
income but relative terms which
much little compared with the of life which
they will buy at given time the market The test
of relative prosperity is how days work does require
to buy the recognized necares of life for given period9
Speaking in broader there be doubt of the
prosperity of the American people, readily by
condition with that of nations less favored but
applying the foregoing facts daily experience find good
for the of that thrift and prudence which
apt forget when of general activity returns after
period of such agnaton and uncertainty that through
which have passed since the beginning of the panic in the
early fall, two years