The Detroit times., 1912-09-24
COST OF LIVING SCARS
so PER CENT IN l2 YEARS
Government Investigators Re
port on 15 Important Ar
ticles of Food

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-The fed.
eral bureau Of labor's report Of an
investigation into the beef prices for
the past 10 years, which was condnst.
ed in the important Industrial centers
Of so states, shows the steady ad.
vance OF the cost of living. The
bureau probed into fifteen important
articles Of food, as well as coal, com-
prising two-thirds OF workingmens
needs.
On June Is, 1912. the report shows,
IL of the 15 articles of food were
higher than a year before, and 10
had advanced more than SO per cert
over the average retail price for the
l0-year period, 1890-1S99.
During the last decade prices OF po-
tatoes changed most and sugar the
least. Their advances we're 111.9 aid
S6 per cent respectively. During the
last year, bacon, which decreased just
one-tenth of one per cent, was the
only one OF the Is principal articles Of
food that showed q decline in price,
while nine OF the 15 advanced more
than 10 per cent, varying from "a
pei CChb lOt AuAihg W lou PCI NCh-
for round steak. or the Is. only eggs,
butter, milk and sugar we're lower on
June Is. but the price of three OF
these> four Is normally lower during
Specimens of the statements Of
merchants In various cities, publish
ed in the report follow:
New York-"Meats In general are
SO high that II prices continue much
longer will be obliged to close up busl-
ness. Have already lost about 5000
since advance In prices"
Chicago-"Jobbing prices on -four
has advanced 80 cents per barrel ana
unless there Is decline In the near
future retail prices will advance"
Boston-"Cheap sirloins are 80 high
and poor that am not cutting any
at present. Both grades OF cattle
have gone up and the above prices
just let me out without profit" "a
second. Beef, especially on cheaper
cuts. 10 to 20 per cent higher" CA
third.) The high prices OF meats is
causing us to close our place OF busi-
ness on or about July L."
Salt Lake City-"Everything seems
to be at the top. but nothing shows
any decline
Remarks Of merchants accompany
ing the price reports for May Is, told
the same story. These are examples:
Boston-"Probably this is the last
month We will be in the provision
are driving us out. We have been in
business Is years but must get out
before we are put out"
ianapolis-"Owing 10 the high
price Of feed the milk supply this
month is the lowest for May on rec
ord" A second: Meat prices have
made a sharp advance owing to the
scarcity In the medium grades Of
meat and we have been compelled to
handle higher priced meats
Los Angeles-'The decline OF price
on potatoes is due to spectators los
ing their grip on the market. Ship
ments have arrived from other states
and as new potatoes will come in
freely In a few weeks, they had to
let CO."
Cincinnati-"The recent floods have
sent cattle to market before their
in years has had the tendency to give
US the highest meat we have handled
in years. May Is we paid s IA cents
pound for steer cattle; 10 years
ago IA cents"
Pittsburgh-"Good beef Is scarce
and high and Is cause OF driving other
meat up. Long, severe winter and
high price Of grain supposed to be
reason"
This was the showing made for the
food prices In the last year, according
to the report, on the foods investi-
gated:
Decrease in price-smoked bacon,
1 per cent.
Increase In price-Fresh milk, "a
per cent; smoked ham, 2.7: hens, 3.S;
granulated sugar, 6; Irish potatoes,
76; wheat -four, 10.7; pork chops.
11.2; pure lard, 11.6; strictly fresh
eggs, 11.S; corn meal, 1877; creamery
butter, 1873; sirloin steak, Ill; rib
roast, 17.5: round steak, 1876.
The advance during the decade,
comparing the price June Is last with
the average for the ten years, was as
follows: Granulated sugar, S.5 per
cent; strictly fresh eggs, gel; fresh
milk, 32.9; creamery butter, 33.3;
wheat flour, 1913; pure lard, 55.3;
hens, 5S1; sirloin steak, 63.7 smok-
ed hams. 31.3: corn meal, 63.7; rib
roast, 63.S; round steak, 81; pork
chops, 8; bacon. 96.7; Irish potatoes,
1I1.9.
Coal also advanced considerably in