The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-10
COST OF
LIVING IN SIGHT
Prices Will Be Reduced II Trusts and
Spectators Do Not
Interfere.

CHICAGO, Nov. follower cost OF
living In sight!
That Is the prediction of leading
food experts today, in view Of the re-
markable and continued decline in the
grain markets.
II Is agreed that the decrease from
the high cost OF living OF the past two
years will be material IF-
II the meat trust and the grain
gamblers do not corner enough grain
and enough meat in elevators and
storage plants to keep prices up.
Here is the situation:
The worlds supply of foodstuffs is
much larger today than at the same
time last year. That means much 10
the inhabitants Of the globe every
wherein Europe, Asia, Australia,
Africa and In America. Especially In
the United States is this true. Here
we have a supply OF foodstuffs which
ought to do wonders toward solving
the high cost OF living as far as the
table Is concerned.
In the last nine weeks there has
been a reduction OF about az cents q
bushel In wheat, while corn has
uiOpRCu q CCul lOWSI Ludu
The time is ripe for low prices on
all meats and breadstuffs. These
should be lower this winter than they
have been for several years, If the
law OF supply and demand is allowed
to regulate the prices, unhampered by
other influences.
Wheat shot upwards a few months
ago when the American crop was re-
ported to be several million bushels
short OF last years production. Then
came reports OF bumper crops in other
wheat producing countries-the Ar
genuine Republic especially, and Aus
tralia, Russia and India.
These countries are now undersell-
ing the American farmer in the for
eign markets, and by SO doing are
The expectation of wheat from both
coasts has fallen of fully go per cent.
This will result in cheaper bread IL,
as above mentioned, the grain gam
bier keeps his finger out Of the -four
bin.
The visible supply OF wheat IN the
United States is double what n was
a year ago. II increased over 2,000.-
900 bushels last week, and Is now over
100000 bushels, nearly one-half
bushel for each man, woman and child
in the country. Last year at this time
1t was 100000 bushels. Chicago
alone has now 12.000,0O0. The big
-four trust has bought large -quanti-
ties. The Armour. Grain Co. bought
over 100000 bushels in one week.
The trade IN -four has never been
so dull before. Millers have a sup
ply of -four far exceeding the demand.
The decline In corn prices results
from the fact that the American farm
er is hauling out Of his fields the big
gest corn crop he ever harvested. 1t
is a bumper crop, totaling over 3,100,-
100000 bushels, or over 300,000,000
bushels more than last year.
And to set the price still lower, the
Argentine Republic has also harvest
ed big corn crop. This means that
the American farmer will feed his
corn to livestock rather than sell. and
thus hogs, cattle and sheep will be
more plentiful. That in turn means
lower priced pork chops, ham, bacon,
lard, steaks and mutton-the meat
trust willing.
Never in the history of the country
have so many cattle and sheep been
sent to the feed lots as this year.
Feeders are everywhere turning corn
into meat at a rate which ought to be
very satisfactory to the housewife
bartering at the corner butcher shop
these coming winter days.
Meat prices will have to drop, or