The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-02-17
BIG INCREASE IN
PRICE or FOODS
Raise Has Been General and Sub
stantiaI-WhOlesaIcr Got Most OF
enormous Profits.
wAsu1NCToN.-snecial rn...,

WASHINGTON.-Special. There has
been a general and substantial in
crease In the price of food products
during the ten-year period from 1859
10 1909 The advance in wholesalc
orices has been materially greater th.s6
in retail prices. The wholesale dealer
receives a major portion OF the enor-
nous profits now being derived from
the sale OF table necessaries while th.s
,stailer must be satisfied with q small
er percentage. or else is compelled 10
adultorate has wares and sell inferior
These facts are demonstrated by q
mass OF figures sent to the Senate thi"
merce and Labor All the data WIS
collected as the result of investI;o-
ions into the cost bsa OF living. The in
neal. but is now arranged for conni,ar-
son and easy reference. 1t was fent
n response TO a resolution adopted by
The Senate January Ith. 1t was offered
by Senator Crawiord.
Ten tables show the range OF W. OLE
sale and retail prices on nearl' all
-iod. These are totaled and percen-
ages OF increase given. 1t is shown
increased during ten years 25 per cent.
clgin butter, 29.S per cent; Rio Coffee.
80; new laid eggs. .Ss.s; fresh beef,
rs: salt beef. 419: bacon, 54.5:- ham.
10: milk, 30: pota toes, 20; beant. So:
;heese, 26.9: lard 6S.3; dressed mutton,
214.
increase Al Nv
The retail price of the sa1ige articles
Bread, as per cent: Glsln b@ttei, sos /;
rio coffee, 5; new l9fd eggs, 36.2 fresh
beef. 14.s; salt beef 1o.6; bacon. $40:
beans, 1872; cheese, 2O.S: lard, 3S.2;
dressed mutton, 26.S.
The wholesale price of sugar has de-
creased 81 per cent. and the retail
price p per cent. The wholesale pSice
Of tea has fallen 31.6 per cent. ME
Wholesale price OF spices has been "a
A bill of fare from the Senate RESI-
taurant was held up this afternoon by'
Mr. McCumber. who was making a de
tailed defense of the farmer, saying
that he received nothing more than fair
prices for his wares and that the great
profits We're reaped by those who sub
seQuently handled them.
Mr.. McCumber read from the bill Of
fare to show that a Sirloin steak, cook
ID and served to the statesmen, cost
from S1.15 to SO; a tenderloin steSk
about the same; f5orterhouse steak
from 81 TO 81. n restaurant keeper had
igures on the total revenues from an
average steer, cooked and sold to ~
Ultimate consumer, and said the RHoss
amount ranged from $4,000 TO $3N0O
rhe farmer received for the steer from
500 to $50, and all the subsequent pro
hts went TO the middle men.
Two Slices Of Bread, 10 Cents.
Mr.. McCumber said he paid 10 cents
Cor two slices of bread in the Senate
restaurant. On that basis a loaf would
bring in so cents. A bushel of wheat
bread, for which the last seller would
receive $3.50, whereas the farmer was
glad to get approximately 81 for tn
ouShel OF wheat.
One potato. hash Drowned, in the res
taurant sells for 10 cents, or two OF
them bring 80 cents, which is Just
what the farmer receives for a buShel
OF potatoes. The estaurant-keeper
makes a profit of 1000 per cent. on
The Investigation into the increased
cost OF living TO be undertaken by q
special committee of Senators was
ers. Mr.. Aldrich did not come to the
Senate, but remained in his private
room trying TO whip together q COM
posite resolution that will please every
body and do the minimum OF damage
TO the tariff bill. A number of has
faithful advisers were in frequent con
sultation with him. 1t is expected the
resolution viii be arranged in time for
senator Elkins notified the leaders
this afternoon that he Will offer his
own resolution for an investigation OF
trusts, in connection with the increas-
that introduced by Mr.. Lodge and IA
Committee.
This threat has added to the gravity
20 begin this inquiry with the Repub
Hcan party divided on is essential fea-
lures. For that reason the leaders are
seeking TO Incorporate portions OF the
ElklnS resolution into the one family
reported, which will placate him and
prevent further discord.
senator Crawford today gave notice
that he Will speak on the increas
cost OF living as demonstrated by the
tables and hgu. 40 sent in by the De-
partment OF Commerce and Labor.