The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-23
Statements of Merchants

Statements of Merchants Specimens of the statements of mer- \ chants in various cities published in the
 report follow.
 New York-"Meats in general are so
 high that if prices continue much longer will be obliged to close up business. Have already lost about 800 since advance in prices
 Chicago-"Jobbingp price on flour has :,d-
 vanced 80 cents per barrol and unless there is decline in the near future re-
 tail prices will advance"
 Baltimore-'Tf the present high prices prevail much longer in the wholesale
 market do not know what will become of the, retail dealers a< sss Boston--'Cneap sirloins are so nfgh and ' poor that 1 am not cutting any at pres I ent Both grades of cattle have gone up
 and the above prices just about let me out without profit' GA second) Beef
 cent higher. GA third) ''rhe high price of meats is causing us to close our place | of business on or about July l." New Haven--"Beginning this week we will advance cents pound on all meats, as we are paying the highest price for beef and lambs in my time. l cannot say the reason; the jobber planes the ! farmer; the farmer planes the high price | of corn"
 \ Philadelphia-"No money in meats at i the above prices" GA second) I've paid | June r., 151a cents a pound for rumps
 and rounds and 111a cents pound for | chucks of beef, the highest price in the | history of our business"
 il Salt Lake City-"Everything seems to
 be at the top. but nothing shows any de-
 cline"
 Same Story Told
 Remarks of merchants accompanying I the price reports for May l5 told the same story. These are examples:
 Boston-"Probably this is the last month
 we will be in the provision business. The
 high prices of meats are driving us out II We have been in business 15 years but | must get out before we are put out i Fall River-"The high prices of meats have cut our meat business almost in II two. The cheaper cuts, which we ordi- nariy sell for to 10 cents pound. now we have to get 10 to IA cents.' Atanta--"The wholesale cost of fresh meats, flour and butter has advanced, but we still are holding at old prices Owing to the high prit 2 of feed the milk supply this month is tho I lowest for May on record" GA second.) Meat prices have made sharp advance l owing to the scarcity in the medium Il grades of meat we have been compelled to handle higher priced meats. Milwaukee-"We were compelled to raise our price of beef because of tine raise in the wholesale price, Los Angees-'The decline of price on 4 EIpotatoes is due to spectators losing their lsrip on the market Shipments have ar rived from other states and as new pc- ltatoes will come in freely In few weeks i Elthey had to let go.''
 Fl Memphis--"I have paid more for meats lthis year than I ever paid since I nave been in business. I cant see any change ! flor some time to come" Cincinnati--"The recent floods have sent Icattle to market before their maturity \ and grain being the highest in years has t had the tendency to give us the highes. meat we have handled in years. May 15 we paid si cents a pound for steer cat tie; 10 years ago, 5i4 cents" Pittsburg-''Good beef is scarce and FIhigh and is cause of driving other meat k!up. Long, severe winter and high price Iof grain supposed to be reason.'
 Portland-"Raise of prices for beef and pork is due to shortage of stock
 Showing of Food Prices
 This was the showing made for the food Hprices in the last year. according to the
 report, on the foods investigated:
 Decrease in price: Smoked bacon. l per cent. Hl- Trcraaea in r,ric> -lss [, rasi, milk 4.