Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-16
HIGH PRICES hit
SCHOOL PUPILS
CAFE is FORCED TO CHARGE
MORE FOR FOOD
STUDENTS kEENLY FEEL IN
CREASE IN COST OF MEALS
Management of Lunch Room Declares
That 1t Is Impossible to Sell Ar
tlces Less Than Listed
on Menu Card

The students of the Los Angeles
high school are feeling keenly the rise
in the price of food supplies. Since
January 1 prices have been advanced
in the lunch room at the school be-
cause of the increased cost of sup
plies. The students are protesting Wig
orously against the advance in prices,
but the management of the dining
room say it is impossible to lower
them to the old rate again.
The most marked increase has been
in the cost of hot sandwiches, which
forms the luncheon Of the greater
number Of those who patronize the
school cafe. These formerly sold for
five and eight cents apiece. but since
the first of the year seven and ten
cents each have been charged for
them.
This seemingly trivial increase in
prices was unnoticed at first, the
students believing the old rate soon
would be restored. Now, however, as
there seems to be no probability that
this will be done the pupils and their
parents are beginning to complain.
The management of the service is
positive this increased rate for sand
wiches is absolutely necessary to keep
the lunch room in existence. 1t is
claimed should the old rate be re-
stored it would be only month or two
until it would have to be closed. In
fact. it is asserted the service at the
present time is conducted on a close
margin, and should prices advance
again the service would have to be
abandoned.
Conducted by Pupils
The lunch room is conducted by the
students under the supervision of the
faculty 1t was begun about four
years ago, and until this season has
been successful. When the advance In
food supplies came it was believed by
many the increase was made neces-
sary by msmanagement, but r. c.
Daniels, treasurer of the student body
and member of the faculty who is
engaged actively in the management
Of the restaurant, says this is not
true.
Mr.. Daniels said yesterday: "The
management is powerless to prevent
increase in prices. I personally super
wise everything that is done here, and
l believe the prices charged are as
low as possible. Everything purchased
is bought in wholesale lots in order
to get them as cheap1y as possible, but
in buying our meat we cannot do this
We tried trading with wholesale
butchers for time, but found 1t highly
unsatisfactory. They cared nothing
for our trade, getting as they do 9
profit from it when they sell to the
retailers, and would not accommodate
us in any way.
1--WE ordered meat from them to be
delivered at or o'clock in the morn
ing. and they would deliver It when
they saw fit On many occasions they
would not have a wagon in our neigh
borhood so early in the morning, and
instead of sending one with our order
they would simply ignore us. II we
protested against this treatment the
Wholesalers simply laughed at us, and
we were powerless to make them do
any different. With the wholesale
butchers having the absolute control
of the market it is impossible for any
one in the position the high school is
in to do anything but pay the prices
they demand"