The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-10-03
or FOOD IN
PAST DECADE HAS
GROWN OVER HALF
Federal Bureaus Report Shows
That Ten Articles Have Adj
vanced Fifty Per Gent.

Washington, d. Especial: The
most marked upward trend OF the cost
Of living is disclosed in the federal
bureau Of labor's report of an inves-
tigation of prices for the last 10 years
conducted In the important Industrial
centers OF 80 states. Fifteen most inn
portant. articles of food. as well as
coal, comprising two-thirds OF q work.
tnRman's needs, were investigated. In
many cities the investigators gathered
statements OF merchants on the Ques-
ton and specimens OF these are pub
lished in h report.
On June 15, 1912, the report shows
IA OF the articles OF food were higher
than a year before, and 10 had adj
vanced In the last 10 years more than
ID per cent over the average retail
price for the 10 years period, 1890-99.
During the last decade prices OF Pc
tatoes changed most and sugar the
least. Their advances were Ills and
BIO per cent, respectively. During the
last year bacon, which decreased Just
i OF I per cent. was the only one OF
the is principal articles OF food that
showed 9 decline in price, while nine
cent, varying from "a per cent for
milk, to 1875 for round steak. or the
15, only eggs, butter, milk and sugar
were lower, but the price of three or
these four Is nominally lower during
summers than during winters.
Meats Too High.
Specimens OF the statements Of mer-
chants of various cities, published In
the report, follow:
that II prices continue so much longer
we will be obliged to close up business.
Have already lost about 500 since advance
In price.
chicago-Jobbing price on aour has adj
y,anced 80 cents per barrel and unless
there IS a decline in the near future retail
Bostor-Cheap sirIoins-are 80 high and
poor that l am not cutting any at present.
Both grades Of cattle have gone up and
the, above prices Just about let me out
without profit. Beef, especially OF cheap
er cuts, 10 to Is per cent higher. The high
cost OF meats Is causing us to close our
place. Of business on or about July 4
@ Facing Wall. -"
The remarks of merchants accom-
panying the price reports for May 16
told the same story. These are ex-
amples:
Extraordinarily this is the last month
we Will be In the provision business. The
high prices of meats are driving US out.
must get out before we are put out
Fall River-The high prices OF meats
have cut our meat business almost In
narily sell for 6 to 10 cents q pound, now
we nave to get 10 to IA cents.
Los Angeles-The decline OF price on. po-
tatoes f. due To- spectators losing their
rived from other states. and as new pota-
toes viii come In freely in q few weeks
Pittsburgh-Good beef is scarce and high
and ts cause OF driving other meat up:
Long, severe winter and high price or
grain supposed to be reason.
Portland-Raise OF prices FOR beef and
pork Is due to shortage Of stock.
Huge Advance Shown.
This was the showing for the food
prices in the last year., according to
the report on the foods investigated:
Decrease in Pr~ice--Smoked bacon, "a;
sm n6SFspSs mann m IFief hens N FE s.si Minated maini lei
sugar, 6; Irish potatoes. 76: wheat dour.
10.7; pork chops. liz; pure lard, lib;
strictly fresh eggs, Ills; cornmeal, III;
rib roast. IFS: round steak, 1871.
The advance during the decade, COM
pairing the price June Ii last with the
average for 10 years, was as follows:
Granulated sugar, s.5 per cent; strictly
fresh eggs, 26.1; fresh milk, 1919; creamery
butter. 3S.3: wheat flour. $s.3; pure lard,
55.3; hens, ssh: sirloin, steak. 59.5; smoked
hams, 6L3; cornmeal, '63.7; rib roast. 6S.8;
round steak, "a; pork chops. g; smoked
Coal also advanced considerably in some
cities. III price on April 15, as compared
with q, year before, was high for Pennsyl-
vania anthracite, stove size, in Is out OF
and there was no change OF price In the
remaining four cities. During the same
period Pennsylvania anthracite. chestnut
SLIT. advanced in Is out Of q cities, and
the price remained unchanged In IL cities
and declined In three cities.