The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-12
COST OF LIVING IS
EVEN MORE SERIOUS
Next Big Problem for Some
one to Tackle
THE CROPS FAIL TO AID
IL the Democratic Party Solves 1t,
the Voters Will Want to Keep
The Party in Power
Permanently
BY c. E. STEWART

Washington. November 11-(6pecisl.) y
One of the problems confronting the gov
eminent and the new administration-if
1t is a problem of the government, GER
tainly 1t is problem for some one-is the
constantly increasing cost Of living. Ev-
cry bulletin issued by the agricultural de-
partfnent regarding crop conditions in the
United States is very optimistic and the
reports from every quarter show that
rever in the history OF the country have
the farmers been more abundantly blessed
with returns for their labors than during
the past season.
The railroads are worried over trans
portation facilities for the handling of the
immense corn and other cereal crops Of
the west. In spite of all this. there is ap
parently an advance every day in the
price of things to eat. The big crops have
not seemed to affect the big prices, or IL
they have. II is IN the wrong direction.
What is tho answer?
A corn crop of s1es ls7,ooo bushels or ISL
e21. 600 bushels more than the greatest crop
OF corn ever grown before in any country
of the world, is the feature of the coun-
try's most remarkable agricultural year
in history, according to the November
crop report of the United States depart
ment of agriculture just issued. The report
completed the governments preliminary
estimates of the nations principal farm
crops. This great corn crop was worth
on November l, to farmers. the sum of
s., Sc. $4,000 This grand total for corn
was further augmented to the enormous
total of s4,17, 1874 900. representing the farm
values on November in the United States
of the crops of corn, hay, wheat. oats, po-
tatoes barley, fiaxseed, rye and buck
wheat With the value of the growing
cotton crop and the crops of tobacco, rice,
and apples. the aggregate value of these
principal farm products will amount to
we'll beyond s5,0oo,OOoooo. II does seem
that prosperity and also a slight reduction
of the cost of living both ought to follow
such an abundance of the blessings of
providence as these figures would indi-
cate.
Increase in Value
With these immense crops, however, ac-
cording to the statistics, and statistics
don't lie, although some statisticians may,
there is an increase in their value ever 1911
of s515,o57.O0o. There is also a steady in
crease in every other line of produce, in
cluoing chickens and eggs, in value the
biggest crop of the farms and which is
not considered in the reckoning above.
II must become evident to the ordinary
observer of conditions, that there is no
longer any such thing as competition in
the disposition and the marketing Of
things to eat. so far as the ultimate con-
suner is concerned. in this country.
There may be some competition in the
original buying Of the products of the
farms. In other words, the farmer must
face competition, and his produce must
face ard be regulated somewhat by the
law of the supply and demand, but after
the stuff passes out OF his hands and goes
into the granaries and warehouses of the
big rroduce dealers of the United States,
and from them is sold to the wholesale
deals and SO on down through the various
ran;ifications of trade till 1t reaches the
man who pays the freight he simply
pays the price that heNis told he must
ray. and that price is constantly on the
advance and when he sits and reads his
newspaper telling of the wonderful
bounty in crors'' in the country, and then
looks over his grocery bill. he naturally
does some hard thinking about the eco
homie conditions of the republic. and
wonders where he comes in. and also
where he is going to get off.
Labor Conditions
With record breaking crops, record
breaking production of pig iron and with
trade conditions on the boom. one would
naturally presume that labor conditions
should be ideal. 1t is the boast of the
leaders in this country that in America la
hor enjoys greater prices for his services
than in any other country of the world.
So he does, again, according to the stat
istics, but is he as well satisfied with his
condition as he was years ago when he
did not get quite so much, but had much
cheaper prices for what he was compelled
to buy?
Statistics show that prices for labor
have not kept pace with the cost of liy-
ing Paradoxjcal as It may seem. pros
Ierity and abundance do not cheaper the
cost of living, neither do shorter crops
and less activity In the field of other in
dustry; both conditions show net adj
vances In the necessaries Of life. There
must be a reason. and II is small wonder
that the progressive party which declares
that 1t will remedy such conditions
though 1t did not tell how, drew big
vote from the class of people in the couri-
try who are the most affected.
This is a great problem and one we'll
worthy of the best thought OF the great
party which is now coming into power,
and they should approach 1t with a pa
triotic resolve to fathom It. and handle it,
for the best interests OF the great masses
of the common people who have so much
at stake on its correct solution. II they do,
the democratic party will continue In s,ow-