Arizona republican., 1911-12-03
CUTS THE COST
 OF HIGH LIVING

Des Moines-The municipal market which was opened here a few months ago is heralded by Des Moines as an instance of the efficacy of the com mission form of government. It dem onstratcs the readiness with which public opinion is carried into effect under the DeS MOines plan and the closer union that exists between the people and their representatives.
 Up to d few months ago the city was in the grasp of a combination of produce dealers. Although the city is the center of one of the richest agricultural districts in the world, the prices Of vegetables. fruits and garden stuff were so high that necessities were fast becoming luXuries. For in- stance, potatoes at one time reached S3 d bushel Men of wealth carried one or two in their pockets as curios, while a baked potato with the family Sunday roast was considered d great treat Iowa is one of the richest states in the union. its per capita wealth being $1,S2S. while the per cap ita wealth of the United States is only SI.3lS. but at that the people of Des Moines were hard pushed To keep pace with the fancy cost of living. Truck farmers were not able to peddle their products from house to house, be- cause the grocers would then refuse to trade with them.
 The mayor and commissioners took the matter up Four months ago Mayor James R. Hanna announced that the little plot of lawn at the city hall would be opened as municipal market. II was regarded as an eX pertinent and many of the officials were skeptical as to whether it would be successful. The first day four or five farmers drove their wagons on the lawn and sold vegetables from the cart
 The next day the number doubled. Within al week over one hundred farmers were at the market. In d month il had become so popular that more than one hundred farmers were selling direct to the Des Moines house. wives and the wagons stretched for three blocks along the curb on market days In many instances the old prices were cut in half in others the reduction was even lower. Commsi- sioneY John MacVicar estimates that the average reduction has been about 50 per cent Citizens from all sec tions of the city patroniZe the mar ket. scores even driving down in auto mobiles to make purchases. At one time a week or two ago there was a shortage in potatoes. and Mayor Hanna bought a carload with a view of breaking a combination and keep ing the prices down The carload was delayed. but the gardeners at the municipal market did not seek to take advantage They sold their wares for sixty and siXty-five cents bushel. as had been promised. Before the mar llet opened. as has been stated. pota- toes were bringing g. d bushel. The reduction in price is in part due to the new crop. but the establishment of the market is believed to have been responsible for cut of at least S1 a bushel
 The market is now operated three days week on the East Side and three days week on the West Side, and as soon as the new Municipal building is opened the old city hall will be remodeled and turned into a market in which truck farmers. gard eners. dairymen and poultry raisers will sell direct to the consumers.
 The city is now run on the pay