Atlanta Georgian., 1912-06-07

WASHINGTON. June Following
an exhaustive investigation Of the in
creased cost Of living the department Of
commerce is about to lay bare a series
of the most startling facts on the sub
ject ever placed before the American
public.
In this report it is shown that during
the last ten years the wholesale prices
of all meats have increased from 25 to
100 per cent. 1t was in this period that
the beef trust established its malevolent
domination over the meat food prod
ucts OF the entire United States.
In the same period the wholesale
prices for poultry have increased more
than S3 1-9 per cent, while eggs, which
in 1890 sold Wholesale at the remuner-
ative price OF II cents per dozen, were
in December. 1911. sold at the arbitrary
price of 49 cents per dozen.
In 1895 Elgin butter sold at Is cents
per pound In December Of last year II
reached the unprecedented price Of 36
cents per pound.
Considered in connection with bull
letin issued by the department of com
merce and labor only a few days ago
presenting facts to show that not since
1907 have food animals been so penti-
full as now, the indictment of the beef
trust is complete
Poor Man Hit Hardest.
1t is shown by the report that follow
ing the example OF their big brother
from Chicago. by whom many Of them
are controlled. the great corporations
which held the balance Of the poor
mems breakfast in their hands have in
creased their toll in proportion.
So startling are the facts contained In
this report that they will in a large
measure be used by Attorney General
Wickersham as a basis for his new ac-
ton against the beef trust. In this
suit Mr. Wickersham will demand that
this trust, designated by former Attor-
ney General Moody as the meanest
aggregation Of capital in the world, be
dissolved.
in making this investigation which
covers a period Of % years, agents Of
the department visited practically every
packing establishment, and every great
source of other food supply in the Unit
ed States
AS the prices presented are those at
which food commodities are sold whole
sale, the increased cost Of living as pre-
sented can not be laid TO the avarice or
greed of the retailer
In collecting their information inves-
tigators began with the year 1890. at
about which time combinations of capt.
| tai began to reach out after the poor
mans food supply December, 1911, is
the last month mentioned In the report
Since that time the price of meat has
steadily increased
| Oficials Of the department merely
present an array of figures and allow
them to prove the facts
Beef Prices a Record
The wholesale price of New York
beef, regarded by the bureau experts as
the best native beef, has seen a gradual
rise with inconsequential fluctuations
from 4-5 cents a pound In 1905 The
final month included In the report IN
January, 1911. New York beef cost the
retailer Q 3-5 cents a pound. Eight
months later or in August, 1t went to
1o1-5 cents. and remained at that price
until December. when It rose l 30 OF a
cent to the record mark for the 22-year
period.
The most remarkable Jump in prices
occurred in the market in 1897. Pork
sold at $500 a barrel, the low water fig -
ure for the % years. In 1910 pork rose
to S23.73 a barrel, the rise for the thir-
teen years, with several minor fiuchIa
tions, being gradual. In January, 1911.
the price was quoted as $22.47. 1t rose
to $22,75 in February. and then began