The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-20
COL. HOLINESS VIEWS.

The Tribune has from time to time
discussed the increased cost of living
and undertaken to ascertain the cause
for the imitation in food prices and Of
the other necessities of life. We have
not given the same prominence TO the
alleged overproduction of gold in this
connection as has been given TO that
factor by others who have discussed
such prominence now, Our idea as
based on observation, on market reports,
and on commercial tendencies, is that
combinations. spectators agreements,
and monopolies, most Of them forced
and artificial, have had far more to do
with the increased price of living than
any other factor, perhaps more than
all other factors combined.
We are glad, however, to welcome u
presentation on other lines, of views on
this subject, sent by Colonel Il. f.
Holmes of this city, from Chicago, Here
is what he has to say about it:
Union League Club.
Chicago, June Is. 1910.
Editor Tribune:-Being a regular read
er of your paper, | have been Interested
Production OF Cold" 1.-THE Higher Cost or
Living" etc. and sometimes wonder
what relief may be looked for I'm the inn
mediate future for our many salaried
men and women who are certainly put TO
1t In order TO make both ends meet in the
present struggle for existence. For that
It is most serious matter. there is no
question. and to raise the salaries of
such is only TO put added cost upon those
employing them. which in turn adds a
further cost to the carrying on OF what
ever business they may be engaged In.
The overproduction of gold: which as
a standard OF value the world over was
the first great step TO the greater cost
of living. is in itself the greatest factor
any means. Generally we live too well
That is. we seem to require more things
TO make us comfortable Take the mat
ter OF clothing, for instance, we wear
more expensive things than formerly, and
require. or seem TO require, more changes
during the year, This Is true as TO each
our women wear better clothes; and moro
Of them. The same of our children, rms
is true also of our amusements ana neces,
snry expenses. also In the matter OF 1000
the whole world Is laid under tribute for
our tables which contribute to our pleas.
ure and enjoyment. Anotner Poihl Una.
strongly occurs to me all the tlIne ~
tho desire of some TO ape the manner OF
living and expenditures OF the rich, or
those more weH-to-do than themselves.
who In so many cases are both morally
and intellectually their interiors.
Now. these conditions may he easily
explained, but not the remedy: which Is
OF such vital Importance TO the many
We need not concern ourselves anoM1 inc inc
come; but II is for the relief OF that
great middle class that are really the
bone and sinew Of our or any country ;
and t seems TO me that The greater cost
of doinr a business now over what II was
formerly is another item that has grown
20 considerable magnitude. Take the
green grocer for instance: he buys IN
quantity. has to lose what spoils on his
hands generally has to book his sales
and make free delivery Of his goods and
II is generally known that 10 ,a cnart" ="
the cost. and In the end the customer mas
10 pay IL; then some one has 10 ne sen'
around to take the housekeepers' orders.
and often a snecial delivery Is required
all adding to the cost OF the consumer,
There is one large store doing business
where I have been living which requires
cries. and I know his prices are 10 to
20 pcr cent lower than his neighbors
who do business the other and costhcr
way. and here ii is an advantage dount,
marketIng besides. he sees just what he
is getting for his money. He even spends
less when actually counting out the cash.
and denies himself some things that he
is a pity that thero are not more stores
OF this kind In every city. Perhaps there
would be If the people demanded them.
In the place referred TO, the vegetable
and fruit growers peddle from house to
house. Their goods are fresher and their
prices lower. and II Is satisfaction TO
the housewife to select what she needs.
This is only one OF many instances
where savings can he made. Some mer.
chant tailors charge $50 for u suit OF
clothes that others furnish at half that
price perhaps the same Identical piece OF
cloth OF course the one pays high rent
men, and he has better reputation for
the style and 1T of his clothes, This
is no imaginary case. but is actual In
nearly every town: and II one would buy
get some good tailor In some small shop
to make up the $3.50 dollar suit, II could
be made for $50 or about that; and, any
| way the average man can do pretty well
buying ready made clothing. Some Will
say that there is no style to roady-m" H.
clothes but what about shoes Who
ever thinks OF getting them made to
order?
There are so many phases to this ques-
| ton that one hardly knows when to stop.
Sincerely yours, C, r, HOLMES.
| Colonel Holmes leaves out altogether
the combination and monopolistic fac.
| tor, and also the speculative manipula-
tion which, in our Judgment, cuts SO
large figure in the raise of commodity
prices. At the same time. his contri-
button to the subject is of interest. and
will be widely read in this city where
Colonel Holmes Justly enjoys a very
large degree Of respect and considers
| tion.