The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-11-21
PRICES IN THE LAST FOUR
YEARS.

WV ~"
housekeepsrs have noticed any material
change in the cost Of living. but statements
have recently beep made asserting decline
ia commodity prices. Because Of wide
variation In local prices and because OF
the Influence Of immediate and temporary
forces IL is not possible to make fair
CONF arison OF the prices OF many articles
required and used in the household.
An Official record is kept showing the
Wholesale price from week to week
Of a considerable list OF standard COM
modIties. and IL is probable that these
quoted prices AFFORD a clue so general
price movements. Selecting from that
list the prices quoted ON or about October
II the years 1907 1908. 1909 and 1910.
there are found both advances and de-
clines, with on the whole more OF the
latter than Of the former. hut the declines
do not seem TO affect materially the credit
balance in the huusekeeper's account
book. Lower prices for bessemer pig
iron. secured wool and No oats are not
"A direct and perceptible adv lntage 60 the
average household.
some of the price changes are obviously
only the fluctuations constantly rec,ir
ring by reason uf immediate conditions
Thus the October I wholesale price Of
granIlated sugar for the four years here
considered has been respectively AS.
toj. {; IS and cents. These changes are
due entirely 10 natural market conditions.
To supply and demand. and not at all to
N" influence of either TART. or alleged
trusts The price Of coffee on the same
dates has been o.. 81. -, and II cents
For tho first time in years coffee prices
crossed Q cents last August. Bv the FIRST
NJ Oct obcr they had risen to II cents
IN" valorization scheme that was to steady
prices ny carrying the surplus 81 years
NJ abundant yield for dist rihu,ion during
years nj short yield seems 70 have in son .
way slipped "a cog. Good medium Japan
tea shows an increase from l9i % cents
On October I. 1897. 20 2ii cents on the same
dat" last year. and drop to 81 cents
on the first IT October. 1910. Good rice
shows a st"Ndv decrease in wholesale
price. IN" October quotations for the
four vrtrs being 81. So 81 and ~ cents.
Grade petroleum shows "A decrease from
is - ~ cents lrar-e! Of for+y-two gal.
l"rz, Eni the decline IS reflected in drop
VI cent 4 gallon in the price Of kerosene
~ C7ses. on the other hand prime lard
lc'i cents. TaI.ow was 6 cents in 1907 and
=. on The first Of October. Family beef.
N barrels. WAS sI4.25 In 1907 and $50 on
the corresr ,ndnE day of 1919
Reef prices are always Of interest and
tN"y demand special attention. They
cannot ~ rcviaw~.! and compared in tt Q
field of final distribution. but the basis
il shown in quotations for native steers,
T"vas steers. and COWS. top price per 100
pounds on the hoof- The lowest price
FOR native steers since January 1, 1907.
vas cents a pound IN February ~ that
vcar. and the highest WAS oIs cents in
p"ce'u''r. 1917. The October l prices
Tor she four years were %. 775. -. 81
'Pu's For Texas steers the rang. has
leon from Sis in July and November.
1907. 20 rs in June. lDOs AMI in several
months " this year. The October /
prices for the four wears nave been 60,
o.. T.ij ard 7.c5 respectively Octobe-
prices N COW. have BEEN IS. SIS. ard
cents on this narrow range of quota
tons -on no hoof- there stands the in
crease noted by housek @erars in prices
"on the block The responsibility Of
the packers for the greatly increased
retail prices - not entirely clear The
assertion. freqTer tlv made. thas farmers
and Rrlzi"rs cot no more FOR their stccs
than ,hev did several years ago il no.
SUPPORTED Ivy the on the hoof' quota
tior.s.
Cora and oats are cheaper. hut the
~ AESe IN wheat IA not enough To make
much difference in tho price Of -four.
The October quotations are as follows: