The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-06-24
.|IIEllOGIR AllD
REPUBLICANS
D(INOT ACRE
G, Causes for
High. Cost : d
LLiUing

agree as 70 Tie causes for the great
increase in Tie cost Of living between
1909 and 1910.
The majority report Of the special
Senate committee which has tnYesti-
gated these questions was submitted
| to the Senate by Senator Lodge. chair
man Of the committee. A meeting was
held prior to the presentation Of the
report and the minority members OF
the committee protested against the
character OF the findings. After long
argument the minority was authorized
to employ an expert TO go over the re-
port Of the majority and prepare the
minority views for submission to the
Senate.
The report made by Senator Lodge
was an exhaustive one, compiled
from testimony given by forty-one
witnesses, reports received from con
snls and from foreign governments.
It contains alarge number Of tables
giving the range Of prices over the
last decade. The minority charges
that the work was restricted by rea-
son of the refusal of tie Senate to
appropriate the se5,ooo asked for by
the committee, which would have
been used to employ agents in the
field.
The majority Of the committee
found that Of the many causes con-
tributing, to tie advance in prices, the
following were most marked:
Increased cost of production of
farm products by reason Of higher
land values and higher wages.
Increased demand for farm pro-
ducts and Food, i3s
Shifting ofpopulation from food pro-
ducing to food consuming occupations
and localities
immigration to food consuming 10
calities.
Reduced fertility of land resulting
In lower average production or in in
creased expenditures for fertilization.
Increased banking facilities In agri-
cultural localities. which enabled
farmers to hold their crops and mar
ket, them to the best advantage.
: It was found that this not only
steadIed prices but had a tendency to
Increase them.
Reduced supply convenient to trans
portaTion facilities of such commodi-
ties as timber
Cold storage plants which result in
preventing extreme fluctuations Of pric-
es Of certain commodities with the
seasons, but by enabling the whole
salers to buy and sell at the best pos
slble advantage tend to advance
prices.
Increased cost Of distribution.
Industrial combination.
Organization Of producers or of
dealers.
Advertising.
Increased money supply.
over-capitalsation.
Higher standard of living.
Concerning the price advance in
food, the report says:
Live Stock Prices.
"The supply Of government land for
general farming has been materially
reduced, and the ranges are being
rapidly cut up Into homes for settlers.
The cost Of producing live stock has
materially. Increased with the disap-
pearance Of the range. which neces-
sltates producing cattle on tame pas
ture and high priced lands"
The report shows that In The United
States in the spring of 1910 retail prlc.
es were at thoihlghest point reached
Tor many years, AS compared with the
spring Of 1909 prices for bacon were.
more than 20 per cent. higher; butter
As per cent. higher: sugar 10 per cent.
higher and eggs 100 per cent. higher
Wages have not advanced as rap.
idly as have prices" says the report,
"and practically all labor difficulties
which have been the subject Of media
tion In the United States during the
past two or three years have had as
their basis the advanced cost Of liv-
ing."
The tariff was discussed at great
Length and tho conclusion was reached
fby the majority that IT had been no
material factor In causing the advance
lin prices during the past decade"
INF, and Mrs. n. Fred yVlltong re-
Iturnsd from their. wed ding tour isatuI.
Idays BeckIey senger!