Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-01-26
THE COST OF LIVING.

'. nou, VI OulO, IN MS mes
sage to the legislature of his state.
takes cognizance of matter OF vast
lmportance by suggesting an inyesti-
gatioon Of the high price Of food.
stuffs to the consumer. and he ,sfvss 4
more than a hint OF his own IDEA
Of the cause in the following perti.
lent paragraph:
There is widespread belief that,
among the causes, combinations and
conspiracies to stifle competition and
advance prices figure largely. This
belief is apparently justified by the
enormous difference between the
prices paid the farmers. cattle rails
ers and other producers and those
paid by consumers to dealers from
whom they directly receive their sup
plies. 1t is currently reported, too,
on statements OF such dealers and
other authoities, that the prices with
which they sell are fixed by those
from whom they buy with threats OF
cutting off further dealings il prices
so fixed are not maintained
II the Ohio legislation will listen to
the governors suggestion and make
an honest investigation and report,
the result can be easily anticipated,
for its findings can hardly fail to
show that the naturally high prices
at the sources of production, the
farm and orchard and range, are
only partially responsible for the ex.
traorainary prices that the consumer
Is compelled to pay to keep body and
sou! together.
Secretary Wilson has already thrown
some light on this subject by his
showing that in the fifty cities of
the United States the meat dealers
sell The product of the beef trust at
an average profit of 3s per cent, be-
yond what it cost them to lay them
on their blocks, and no one will be
silly enough to believe that such
pru1its could obtain with the retail
meat business on competitive basis.
A nigid Investigation would probably
reveal that the packers were not
merely exacting extraordinary profits
forEthemselHes. but encouraging, II
not.compelling, the retailers to main.
tainsguilds-for the purpose Of sitting
tcon4etitiun at theEetail end, thus
ohisang the consanser to pay twe
fictitious profits ere the meat reach
es the table. And what is apparently
. the case as to SO necessary an, ar
Eucle of diet as meat, seems to, nre
llrail as to most of the commodinnl
,Akhat go to make up what are comnoel
d known as the necessaries of lles
IL With the reference to the meatthNf
mess 1t is more than likely that, IL
the larger cities, the packers are ili
rectly interested in the profits Of tn,
retail trade.
Such an intimate interest alone
however. Is not at the bottom Of tn,
eagerness Of all Of the larger trust.
to encourage combinations amonI
those who handle their wares or pro
ducts. The astute trust manage
: knows that every dealer who can b,
} lured from position Of independence
!. into conspiracy to trustify the re
d tall end. Is transformed from kick
e er into an ally who will aid in main
J. tanning a .'healthful condition %
l trade which is the polite way of re
q ferring to a branch Of trade When
I is Eorganised up To the very Aandl
3 and atfoFaing thieyiRg proitts In a
Z OF It's ohaRasla-and Of tbs cam
n time give hk moral support 70 th
tssss and psrpisipus sAsoty tAat srus