Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-16
CONSUMER PAYS the FREIGHT
INCREASE IN PRICE OF LUXU-
RIES UNDER NEW TARIFF.
If You Wear Diamonds and Drink
Champagne, You're tad
vances on the Fly.

Mr. and Mrs. Ultimate Consumer will
have to sit up and take notice pretty soon
of some of the increases in prices Of
commodities. the result of increased
rates in the new tariff law. In the main
these advances are upon luxuries and not
the necessari of life-except, of course
in case OF people to whom Injuries are
'necessaries." In some cities advances
have already set in or announced to
take effect soon, but thus far Washing
ton dealers have not taken advantage of
the Inevitable increase to put up the price
on goods bought under the old tariff
law
Now If YOU need any jewelry. furs,
champaign foreign perfumery, or foreign
mineral water, you'd better lay in
stock at summer bargain prices. because
this time next year there will be boost
in them. There are threats of an in
crease in the cost of wooden clothing and
hosiery. and some classes of cotton goods
but II is little early to make definite
predictions as to these commodities.
Retailers Hoist Prices.
Reports from eastern cities indicate
that some retailers are already hosting
prices. the increase of course represent
ing just SO much additional profit to
them on the goods they have in stock.
a case in point relates to perfumery.
The new tariff makes an increase of )
per cent on the import value of the
goods. The retailers. in this instance,
had increased their retail price more than
10 per cent. and that on the stock already
on hand and which had been brought
in under the low tariff.
Inquiry among some Washington deal
ers today ELECTED the statement that such
articles have not been advanced here and
will not be until the stock on hand is eX-
hausted and the new stock. brought in
under the new law, is on sale.
That's sad news for lot of us who are
working on a salary about the increase
on champagnes-and a citizen who became
quite worried this morning, set out to ask
some local dealers "how about it," To
his great relief he was told that the
price had not gone up yet on the small,
cold bottle no, thank you, none today:
just wanted to know if it could be
bought.
Advance Sure to Come
But the advance is coming. all right,
and the consumer will pay it. All the
stock of champagne in this country which
came in before August will show clear
profit to the holder. if still on hand when
the new law goes into effect. 1t is a Ger
tainty. it is said. that the importer will
not stand a penny of the increase, but
will put it squarely up to the consumer.
But what's the odds?" one man put
it: by the time YOU feel inclined TO open
cold bottles, what is a mere two-bits or
four-bits a bottle increase? You are feel
ing rich enough then to stand it
The increase. it is pointed out. should
not go into effect on champagnes for some
months yet. as the wines are still coming
under the trade agreement with France
and will continue TO do SO until the trade
agreement ends.
4 local jewelry dealer said today that
his firm for one would positively not raise
the prices on goods now in stock which
may be affected by the new tariff in
future importations of like articles.
Diamonds will inevitably advance in
price, he said, and. of course, the value OF
stocks now on hand will be enhanced by
year from now.
Foreign mineral waters felt the tariff
at once, and local retailers say that they
have been notified of an increase of ~
cents case on future purchases. which
Will be an increase of ! cent bottle. 1t
is not certain yet who will stand the raise
in the end. The agency of one popular
brand of foreign waters has allotted its
stock on hand among its customers pro
rata at the old prices.