The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-23
COST OF LIVING
SHOULD Be PROBED
Three Lines of Investigation
Are Suggested.
FUEL, FOOD, AND CLOTHING
Chamber of Commerce and Board OF
Trade Could Prosecute the Neces-
saFy Inquiry-FRctlitfes OF Trans
pOrtatIon and Distribution Might
Also BE Found at Fault.

High prices for the necessaries of life,
including food. fuel, many articles OF
clothing. and household supplies suggest
the serious consideration OF several lines
OF investigation into the cost of living
here in Washington. Under all the cir
eumstanees It seems that the time is ripe
for the consumer TO have an inning with
a view to the protection Of his interests
II NAV be true or not that food. fuel,
and clothing prices are too high. II they
are It is important for all concerned that
the fact or facts be established If they
are not too high it Is only fair to the
machinery of trade and manufacture that
the truth OF the situation be laid bare
Investigation int these things that would
be thoroughly impartial would be OF vast
advantage at this time.
Business Facilities Criticised.
Hints have been made often that the
general arrangements of transportation
and distribution Of products in this city
are not economical TO the consumer. The
charge has been made that the Capital is
not only poorly fed, but al too high a
price. For example, il is said that good
part of the truck products consumed IN
this city, especially the early vegetables
brought up from the South, IS carried to
Baltimore and shipped back to this city.
Increasing the freight cost 1t has been
stated by men whe know the facts that
car loads OF truck that might be used in
Washington go numbering through the
CITY on heavily laden freight trains TO
Northern points, and the same quality OF
products bought by Washington commits
sion men and dealers in other ways at
greater first cost than they could be
obtained from Southern sources.
This lack Of economy, II Is understood,
is not so much due 10 any difficulties In
obtaining supplies as to old and super
ANIMATED methods of trade which have
been long outgrown. The statement has
been made that the lack of the right kind
OF storage facilities here have increased
the cost Of many kinds Of provisions and
fruits or 10 per cent during the last
dozen years
Cost Said to BE Too High.
Summing up the situation in word The
Washington Herald is informed that
Washington not only does not get what It
ought TO have in the way of supplies, and
that It pays too high price for them
irrespective Of the short supplies Of the
present year.
On the assumption that the facts stated
in this general way are true, every reason
exists why the whole series Of facilities
OF transportation and trade should be
made the subject of a searching investi-
cation by proper authority No way TO
remedy the situation can possibly be sug-
gested until It Is known what is 10 be
remedied.
II meats cost too much through lack OF
transportation or through the manipu
Iation of the supply and distribution,
nothing in Washington Is Of greater
moment than that the facts be found out
and made known.
If Washington is paying from 81 10 S1-5o
q ton more for its fuel than IL should pay
when economically brought here and dis
tributed, it is vastly important that the
truth should be known.
II tropical fruits, domestic fruits, and
vegetables cost more than they could be
furnished at a fair profit through better
methods Of handling. the consumer has
q right to know that.
If the calico dress and the wooden coat
are too dear in Washington no harm, but
much good, would follow the establish
ment OF the facts.
Trade Bodies Could Act.
Assuming that such Investigations as
those suggested ought to be made in the
public interest, who shall make them?
The Washington Herald suggests that
the duty of such investigation lies at the
doors Of the Chamber Of Commerce and
Board of Trade Working committees of
either or both OF these bodies. charged
with Investigations of this nature, could
in a reasonable time get to the facts and
undoubtedly could suggest the remedy.
A Congressional investigation with politi
cal leanings could never be depended upon
to get to the bottom of the trouble or 10
point a way out. If a deplorable state of
things should be found
Citizens of Washington are those most
interested in the matter and the investi-
CATION, If made, should be made by them
with the view of ascertaining the truth
anu VI Apply AAAb VINCE AN|'-~NS
suggest itself 10 practical men.
Could Make the Inquiry.
No reason exists why the Chamber Of
Commerce and the Board Of Trade should
not take up this investigation and pursue
Il to the end While both bodies are
made up OF business men, engaged pos
sibly IN the trades which might be called
TO account for some form OF short COM
ing. no just cause for hesitation seems
logical In the general machinery Of trade
the commission man and the merchant
are only receivers and distributors, each
entitled to a fair measure OF profit from
the transactions they carry on. They
should not be, IN fact and should not de-
sire to be extortionate IN their profits. a
big volume Of trade is better than a small
one. and low prices give the bigger vol
ume Of trade. other things being equal,
hence. it is best in the long run that
methods should be economical that profits
should be Just, and that the consumer
should have an equal chance with the pro-
Queer and the distributor.
Beside business men the local trade
bodies have lawyers among their mem
bers and many professional men who
would be found useful in conducting the
investigation Within the membership OF
the two bodies is represented all the
sources Of information needed to get at
the truth about this high cost OF living
To ascertain the facts would be vastly
more practical than anything either body
has undertaken in the past five years,
and out of an investigation Of this nature,
which would have only the truth in view.
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