The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-01-26
CAUSES OF HIGH
COST OF Living
International Commission /
Study Them Is Proposed,
MIGHT SUGGEST REMEDIES

President Taft Is to Be Asked b.
Economists to Invite Other Coun-
tries to Join In Creating an, Invest.
eating Board.
President Taft is about to be asked
by distinguished public men and econ
omists to invite the powers of ths
world to join in the creation Of an in
ternational commission to study the
questions involved in the high cost Of
living. A decision to this effect was
reached at one Of the meetings of the
American Economic association.
The proposal for the establishment
Of an international commission to study
the causes for the high cost Of living
and to suggest remedies to the various
governments was made by Professor
Irving Fisher OF Yale university. 1t
was approved by Senators Lodge Of
Massachusetts,, Smoot OF Utah ami
Crawford Of South Dakota. all of
whom expressed the belief that Cou-
gress undoubtedly would concur in any
recommendation the president might
make looking to the creation OF such
a body.
Those who discussed the subject
gave various causes for the present
high range Of prices. All agreed that
prices Of the necessnries OF life We're
relatively high In all countries aud
that all available data pointed to still
higher prices tie world over.
The increase In the cost Of produc-
lion, higher wages, expansion Of credit.
the increased output OF gold and
material increase in the volume of 9th.
er forms of circulating medium, indus
trial combination, organizations Of mid
dlemen, waste in production, militariSu
and the universal demand for more
lu1urieS and comforts by people gen.
orally were among the causes assign.
ed for the present high cost Of living.
'"The rise in prices is not peculiar to
the United States" said Senator
Lodge. 1T is a phenomenon that pre-
sentS itself wherever we turn. Tn.
senate committee Of which | WAS
chairman investigated the subject az
great length. We found it was a prob.
lem too complex TO be treated with
any hope Of results by single body
representing only one state or one
country.
AS the facts were revealed 10 u.
we came u the conclusion that hi; p
prices presented a world problem.
therefore came to the conclusion thn,
1t should lie made the subject of IN
quiry by an international commission.
"It is important to ascertain tie
cause or causes and TO find out if
remedy is to be had. There is a gryu
temptation always when people ar..
hurt by anything like prices to attrih
ute it 10 something they easily can
reach. 1t only does harm to apply the
remedy in the wrong place. No com
mission Of one country. no body of in
veStigators Of single state, can com
mand the attention and the accept
ance which any report on this great
subject ought to have. l am in favor
of the appointment OF an international
commission as proposed. | hope this
movement soon will take the form Of
appropriate legislation in congress.
feel very certain that in congress those
who have given attention to this sub
ject will feel it is important to secure
ali international commission for the
investigation Of this phenomenon of
advancing prices"
81 approve of the formation Of such
a commission" said Senator Smoot
land such investigation should be on
cial. The lead should be taken anj
the means provided by our govern
nIent Every civilized nation should
be represented in this commission. a.
every civilized nation is affected by
this problem"