The Detroit times., 1910-01-24
By Or. A. sELwYN.nRowN.

~ Or. A. SELWYN-BROWN
NEW YORK. Jan. 24.-One OF the
most remarkable features OF the last
years commercial transactions was
he pronounced increase In the prices
u commodities Each month reports
Ind statistical tables are published
o show the average price changes
Turing the month
The best known price tables are
hose published In America by Brad
streets and In England by the Econo-
mist
Bradstreets tables show that since
$50 prices OF all commodities have
Increased over 81 per cent The
american price index number for Jan
1910, Ia the highest ever recorded
4 surpasses the previous high record
hat published on March /, 1907-by
Il per cent.
January's index number IS Ill per
Rent higher than the number OF Jan.
Il, 1909.
"d These price change indicators con
eclnaively show that the prices of both
e.6w and manufactured articles IN the
United States have increased 81 per
ent since 1896. and that prices are at
his moment higher all around than
hey have ever been before. AS re-
asult OF this 1t costs us 81 per cent
more to live today than II did in 1885,
hnd prospects are that prices during
go will advance even more rapidly
han they did during the past three
ears.
The worst feature OF this question
Ne that wages and salaries do not al
lance at the same rate as prices and
3iving costs. Statistics show that
IMAGES in skilled trades in the eastern
states have advanced only 35 per cent
IN the last 10 years. In the same
y Period the wages o funskilled laborers.
Beho are not assisted in obtaining adj
ances in pay by labor unions, in
reased les sthan is per cent.
"A Salaries OF many men and women
Nloing light work, and OF most people
.,who are employed In Offices. have not
INCREASED at all in the past 10 years.
a What has caused this unsatisfactory
state of things?
&ricesetaoin shrdlu etaoin etaoinnunn
. n The explanation for the increase IN
xprices is probably that no single fac
y or like gold production Is responsible.
y trhere are a large number Of circum-
stances contributing to the advances.
tt would appear that the improvement
IN education and inventions, better
Anethods OF transportation, more
kkillful agricultural methods, improved
,banking. wider speculation. the large
. increase in exchanges dealing with
Raw materials, and probably more than
4 anything else. probably. the growing
+ " endency to advance the costs of the
law materials and goods which they
n ontrol are important factors.
No country in the world Is so large
NV In the hands OF trusts and other
\ denominations OF producers, manufac-
Aurers and transportation corporations
MAN the United States, and In no
4 N,ther country in the world have prices
Annd the cost OF living advanced so
Aniuch as In America.
WI Trusts control the products of the
. WARNS. the mines, the mills, the public
Utilities Of the large cities, the banks,
~ he shipping companies and railroads.
HThey. TO a large extent, work In uni.
ION with each other, and are always
'sstriving to get the last cent from the
4 N|publlc that patEonizes their business
Fconcerns.
LA Financial reports published by some
|tlof the larger trusts plainly illustrate
Mine truth of the old aphorism that 1T
Ms an III wind that blows nobody good"
Awhile the people ere suffering from
,rthe high prices of the necessities OF
Life the trusts arc increasing their
4 operations In all directions, and are
|h earning greater profits every year.
|T statistics relating to the business
y onerations of United States Steel,
e STANDARD OIL. the tobacco, drygoods,
fruit and other trusts. as well as the
|5liexpress and railroad corporations dur
Ifing the past six years. show that their
~ accumulated SURPRISES have been I'M
b lmense. Last year was one OF the most
f nrosperous they experienced.
E II NAV truly be said that what tho
Allneonle have lost the trusts have gained
bt NV the increase in commodity prices
n MANY causes appear to have con
1ilt,ihuted 10 the rising prices. The
n ilt,nsts take unfair advantage Of con
N d,tIons and by securing high tariffs
n Inv rebating, monopolizing, combining
N ana controlling the handling OF raw
y -,rod,,cts the manufacturing Indus
~ tries the banks, retail stores and inc
INSTRUMENTATION systems secure unreas'
= enable profits. -,
" Nv these means they impose upon
4 the helplessness of the weak.
y BRAKEMAN Is KILLED.