The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-20

BEVERLY, MASS. Oct 1.-THE
wave OF extremely high prices for
food throughout the civilized world
has reached It's height in the United
States, and 10 ssshsAAihx.- THE AFsaeri-
can people have cause to be thank
ful, that, because Of our Industrial
prosperity, II has not bean attend
ed here with the great hardship
which has prevailed IN some foreign
countries, where high prices have
combined with low wages TO reduce
the working people to a point border
,nE on starvation
This statement was made TO-DAY
By President Taft, who bases his con-
ciusion on the results of an inquiry
he caused to be made by the depart
ment of agriculture, and which SHOWS
that. as result OF the bumper crops
and the great prosperity OF the Amer
lean farmer. there has been a ma
ter,al decrease in the cost of food
poduorr, although In most instances
the reduction has not yet reached
the consumer. and in some. at least
will not do so for some months.
The most notable instance OF this
DELAYED effect is In the caAe OF corn
which is ultimately marketed IN the
form of meat products. The increas-
ed crop will inevitably result In
cheaper meats but not until the cat
tie. sheep and hogs, fsttened on TINS
years crop, have time to reach the
consumer.
Crops Show increases.
Secretary Wilson reports that, as
compared with year ago, the as-
gregate crops will be about 20 per
cent greater, and that the supply
this year will average 10 per cent
greater than it has been for num-
Der OF years.
He shows, too, that already Ger
tain staple articles are showing inc
effect In reduced prices and ADVISES
the president that on the nine great
crops of the country, corn. wheat
| oats, barley, rye. buckwheat, pots"
toes. flaxssed and hay, the OCTOBER
| LIST prices Indicated saving 10 the
consumer Of about nine per cent, OF
| nearly $500, oo0,0
! Furthermore, the increased crops
! will make no to the farmer for the
reduction in prices. Taking the prices
! prevailing in October /. 1911, he
! showed that while the return to tbs
| producers. even at the high prices
prevailing them, amounted TO sS,'
B6g, 900, 900 at the prices prevailing
on October lat. of this year, the re-
turn TO the producers will amount u
s4,4s5, 900. 900 by reason OF the in
creased yield.
4 There -. therefore, n9tainE to n'
feared from a lack OF prosperity das
to the inability IF the farmer to pu>
what he needs or desires, unless, al
Secretary Wilson suggests, the prices
should be very seriously deprsciatef
as the resuit of political developments
Wheat Production Large.
This years wheat crop is nearl,
100 .00o, 900 bushels larger than II wa
last wear. and already a high grad
| Of Minnesota -four Is costing at tn
! mills eighty cents less a barrel thai
II did q year ago. There are ntnet.
million people in the United states
and the average consum ption of hou
ia 1s barrels, go that this ter
, alone even at the present price WI
effect a saving OF s1os 100000,
The corn crop, for the first time y
tha history OF the country. exceed
A. 600. ooo. 900 bushels, amounting to
per cent more than last year. Ai'hous
this crop win not be freely na.ke' =
for a month or more. there ~ aiFeaa
a decrease In the price OF seven csn n,
a bushel, as compared with last se"'
| Hay Affects Prices.
Second only to corn. the nay VIZ
affects the price OF meats. ms se en
the hay crop amounts 10 72.ooo.oo
tons as compared with 100000 !Qh
a year ago The average OF nay .sa'
fallen on october 1st to $ll;'S toi
a reduction Of s2.74 from the prie
| prevailing a year ago. In aooition y
making for cheaper meats the rsuu. ~
price OF hay will affect similarly LII
cost OF milk, butter. cheese etc.
! What liz true of wheat and corn mr.
ha.s sa aIsa true of oats. hut 70 sel.
greater degree. This years cro,
amounts TO i.4t7. 100000 hushels,
Increase over last years crop OF NOR
the so per cent. Most of TINS cioi
IL used as fcod for stock and tne IN
creased crop and lower prices ON 80 -
tober lat. bushel Of oats cost 90,
cents as compared with 40 yea
sgo--wir also make for lower pris .
for meats and ALL live stock proauesA
potatoes Effect Living. ,,
The decreased price OF potatoes ~ m''
alone effect a saving. Of nearly sl| ~
400 900 in the cost OF living on 49,
tnher 1st, the producers were se...n'
sta bushel for potatoes. az co ~
narea with ss.s cents year ago, NJ ~