The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-08-12
W Ar CAUSES FOOD I
PRICES TO ASCEND
Many Commodities Take Sharp Adj
vance and Retailers Az Helpless
to Check Increases.
sUGAR-FLoUR PRICES HIGHER
Imports Especially Take Ascension
May Go Still Higher is Dis
couraging Feature,

Household expenses have jumped
|'by bounds since Europe has become a
big battlefield, and the products that
come from foreign chimes have crept
toward the top in a hurry.
Bemidji merchants shave been
forced to advance many pf their pri-
ces already, in consequences of the in
creases made by the wholesalers, and
according to K. K. Roe, ofsthe firm of
Roe & Markusen, the most d iscourag-
ing feature is that hersnd has not
yet come, and the prices,smay still go
higher.
~ These for Instance.
Just take a glimpse ait the prices
OF few commodities, and one will
realize the change: Flour, before
the war was sold for $500 for 100
lbs. !; after war. was declared it has
increaaed to $3.50 for 100 lbs; sugar,
before war, $3.50 for 100 lbs. now
$3.50 for. 100 lbs
The above are two Of the necssaries
Of life, and what makes the prices
soar is directly attributed to the
European war.
Ports Blockaded;
/ Canned goods; all imported pro-
ducts, such as sardines and ocean fish,
have advanced Is per cent. This is
easily explained, as many of the
European ports are now In a state of
blockade and Norway, Sweden and
Denmark, and also ports in Russia,
s;sip a great deal of canned fish COM
modities to the United States
A glance at the coffee and tea
prices will convince one of the ad-
vance of these since the powers be-
came mixed UP in war. .sLipton teas
promise to adYance 3 a "A as ~ cents a
pound. England, which ships much
tea to the United States, will not be
accessible for time to local dealers,
and the domestic prices in sympathy
have promptly advanced. Spices will
not be affected At least no raise is
noticeable in these commodities yet.
Lemonade Goes Up
~ Lemons, before the war were quot
ed at $500 a case. Since the war
they are $1,000, an increase of over
$500 on a case. The citrus crops
comes mainly to the United States
from Italy, and that country threat
ening to declare war, the yellow fruit
acted in sympathy and is a luxury in
the average household at present.
With the steady increase on
groceries comes the news of increase
in meats. Smoked meats have been
raised several cents, fresh meats OF
8 cents and steaks from 2 to cents
the pound.
Local merchants and meat dealers
have not yet raised all prices, but
state that it lis only a question Of a
short time b. go.
Ascension Soon.
When the wholesaler raises his
prices, the retailer must and it is pre-.
dicted that a few days will see the
ascension. ~ .s
Meantime the lady of the house
prays for peace. That this "awfu
war will end,'' and the grocer and
butcher regret the situation, but
what can they do. Advance in prices
to them means of necessity an ad
vance to the customer, and from press
reports the conditions are the sam,
all over the country. d 4a
| Carl Tennstrum left last night TO-
Cumberland, wisconsin, where hi
lsister Esther, who has been vis'itin!
lat Ashland, will join him. Mr.. an
Mrs John Tennstrum will go to Wis
consin later to visit relatives an
lfrien DIS and Esther and Carl will re
turn with them.
/ One-third of the clerks in the Uni