The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-21
Some Lines Show Slight Re-
ductions While Others
Advance Sharply
STOCK FEED SHOWS
LARGEST ADVANCE
Lard Is Over Cents Cheaper, While
Bacon Has Advanced From
3 to ) Cents-Compara-
tive Quotations
by ELLIS G. HoLLIMs

Is the cost OF living really getting
higher?
This is question of absorbing interest
TO the ultimate consumer. Looking bacl,
over the past year, the market quotations
OF September 20, 1872 as against the quota
tions of September 20 1913. 1t will be
found that the prices on groceries and
feedstuffs have really changed little. In
many instances the prices have been re-
duced. In some cases, however, there has
been sharp advance and the consumer
pays.
business on Morris avenue during Sep
tember, 1912, was quiet practically the
whole month. Along toward the last of
that month trade began to show activity.
but prices We're, as a rule. huctuating and
the demand was very slow. Supplies in
most lines We're easily equal to the de-
mand, and there was an oversupply in
some commodities.
In direct contrast to last years trade.
the business this month on the avenue
mas been brisk. The demand has been
Very good and supplies in most lines are
we'll abreast. In the fish market there
exists. at present a shortage hut that
will be relieved by next Tuesday or
wednesday, and the market will soon re-
cover from the Ill effects of the tightness.
Irish potatoes are selling at an unusually
high price, due to short crop in Vir-
ginia, and the fact that the western crop
Is not vet mature. The price of Irish po-
tatoes per bushel is now 10 While it
was only 30 cents September 20 last year.
The present shortage accounts for the
difference, however.
Poultry About the Same
In the poultry market last September
20 fryers We're quoted at 22 cents. The
price today is from II to 90 cents. and the
demand is none too brisk. Hens are now
quoted at 16 and Il cents while the price
last year was only 10 cents a pound
Pra actically no hens are now to be had
on Morris avenue, but there is no conse-
quential demand. The price on eggs has
advanced only cents within year. and
the demand now is much brisker than it
was the same time in 1912. The egg mar
ket is upward in trend at present, while
in 1912 the demand was slow and the sup
plies about on par.
In the meat market lard was selling at
13is cents last September and is now
quoted at 105s cents. a drop of 2 cents
and a fraction. Breakfast bacon, how
ever, has advanced from 3 to cents.
Skinned ham has experienced an advance
u ohiS Scii. Wilhiii Tue year. he ue-
nland in meats now is even better IL any
thing than 1t was the same time last
year.
Cooking apples have also dropped in
price over last years figures. The price
today is only $50 barrel, as against
S4.50 and S. last year. On September 90
1912, lemons were quoted at IS and $40
per box of $50. The price now is only
S and $50. drop of from SO to So. Cab
bage has advanced a of cent during the
past year and onions have gone up %
cent. Sweet potatoes are selling now for
S2 % to $3.50 a barrel, which was last
years quotations. :.
Stock Feed Advances
The cost CT feedstuffs for stock has ad-
vanced far more than any other line. Corn
is quoted now at the same price as last
year. Oats, however, are 10 cents higher
now than they were year ago, and al
falfa hay is selling at SO more on the
tel. than 1t was in 1912. The prices on
cotton seed products are from So to Sc
higher now than they were this time in
1912 The demand now from the New
England states, however, is prime factor
in the present inflated prices. Northern
and eastern states are buying large guam
titles of cotton seed hulls. cotton seed
meal and cotton seed oil cake for cattle
feed. and this heavy demand will have
the effect of holding up the present quo
tations throughout the winter, it is said.
C. s. hulls were quoted at $40 ton in
(COntinued ON page EIghtD