The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-13

Editor OF The Nir&InIan:
Sir,-What do you think Is the cause or the
SUBSCRIBER
A plain straightforward question is that and
one which evidently demands plain, straight
forward answer but unfortunately The W.
C,n,nn cannot give It, II doubts if anyone can.
IN the first place. there is no one cause. but
many. for the high cost of living Some Of
them can be corrected. If enough OF us could
but agree upon them and some Of them can
rot, even If it be desirable
An example of th1latter is the higher stand
nrd Of living which obtains IN this country and
In the civilized world 1t Is what the stand
patters, the prophets of woe. and the cynical
call "4he cost high living" Men require
more luxuries than formerly the new inven-
sions cost money the conveniences which we
think we cannot 40 without make inroads on
cur pocketbooks. In large cities there are in
Vulnerable little expenses that cat up our in
come almost before We know It, Were one
o. mind to do without the telephone more
than one newspaper. TO use his feet instead
CT the nearby trolley line. 20 back to the plain
fare Of his randfather--who was not actuated
Ay economy but uecessity--one might reduce
the cost Of living greatly, but he could eaiA
his end more quickly by dying. Many house
wives stroll % the telephone, order the days
dinner and have it sent home in q delivery
wagon neatly wrapped. and wonder why ii
costs more than when she went after it, and
brought it home insecurity wrapped in coars,
paper Delivery. cleaner and better kept stores,
superior quality, better wrapping paper and
better service generally cost money, and the
owner Of the store does not pay for these
thlngs. but the purchaser
Economists tell us that ne Increased pro
! Aleqfion d gold ry mafil.-' =. money e1eaptt
has made prices higher. The more money tAerc
* In circulation the less a certain amount viii
buy That the production of gold In 1912 was
Ass than in 1911 without appreciate eftee, on
if.ces seems 10 knob this theory In the head
sm lie probabi!itv is that sufficient time has
av elapsed 10 make the effect of the decreased
reduction fcl! Or that the decrease was so small
a. to produce ltnc or no effect on the money
n,arket,
The multiplicity OF middlemen. cold storage
houses and high finance. the inelasucity OF
currency these have their shares in the
numerous circumstances which are operatins
"a separate the worker from his wages
This brings tbs to the tariff Old~line, stand
pat. dyed-in-the-wool proteetionists 70 the con
Hrary. Notwithstanding. the tariff has grea
effect on prices Probably II Is the priu
cipai cause Of the increase in the cost of H.
& ing This increase has heen- manifest in ali
Parts Of tho world, but more so in high rro-
lection United States than In protection Ce2.
Jnany and more SO In Germany than In low
sartf England. The object OF import duties
is to increase the price. and it is as amuoins
as ii is disgusting 10 bear protected manufae-
snrprs tell ns that the tariff loes not increase
4he cost OF living. and then 10 wa Ell them Inn
raedlataly chase OF tn the waye and mean.
committee of congress with the vail that to
bower. the tariff on their products. will force
5