The Wahpeton times., 1914-09-03
FOOD PRICES
HIGHER HERE
Than They Arc In London, Where
the Country. 10 Enaa1ed.
In War
GRAND JURIESDBYELOPPACT
John Nannamaker, tho Eastern
Merchant Prince. Sets An
Example

cation of war time" prices in
food stuffs is already having good
effect is shown by the fact that
not only has there been q grad
ual decline in prices but several
stores in the cities have advertised
that there will be mo war time
prices at their store" John Wan
namaker, the great eastern mer-
chant, has publicly announced
that even on imported articles
there will be no increase. Even if
it is impossible to secure more
the last piece will be sold at the
same price as at first.
Keeping Watch
Although the report of Col. M.
A. Hildreth, assistant United
States attorney, has been sent to
Washington, the local Office is
keeping watch on the market con-
ditions of this state at all times.
Today most interesting scale
of prices was received showing
the price of food in North Dakota
in time of peace is higher than
is today charged in England in
spite of the war. The schedule
British No. Oak.
Commodity War price Peace PRICE
Sugar (Gran.) ! hc lb. 9 & 100 lib
Cheese (colonial) 10 22
Lard (imported) IS is
Bacon (Colonial) % 80 s. AZ
1t will be noted that the North
Dakota prices are average. some
stores will charge more, others
less for the same articles The
British prices are from London,
and the list represents the may
imum prices that retail merchants
there may charge for tllcir goods.
That prices in this country have
been artiflcially inflated is indi-
Gated by this schedule.
The sugar trust is held to
blame for the higher cost here by
investigators. 1T is the sole ar
bitrator." said one official. Moth
ing can be done about prices un-
less it is authorized by the re-
finers. The trust has seen its op-
portunity to gouge and is taking
advantage of it. Cuba, Porto Rico
and the PHILIPPINE Islands have
had the greatest crops in their
history, prices should be lower
and not increasing. In London a
lot of the sugar comes from ia
maica. That would make some
difference.
Flour Also Controlled
'The flour mills in Minneapo-
lis" continued the same author
ity. "have built up great monopo-
lies. They practically control the
market. There are only about four
brands of flour that can be sold
in any quantity here and this con-
dition has been brought about by
intensive advertising. The people
hardly know there are any brands
except the advertised ones. The
prices of the millers are so much
alike and the advance comes sc
closely from all of them it looks
like combination. but we can't
prove it. They simply say flour is
so much and that's the price"
Officials of the denartment OF
justice at Washington are con-
vinced as a result of the investi-
cation into high prices that there
is an agreement or conspiracy
among controlling trade leaders
Grand iuries in Chicago, New
York and other centers are ex-
pected to develop facts this week
on which indictments can be
found under the Sherman Anti
trust law. In Texas sugar has cd
yanced 60 per cent for which the
iobbers can give no reason anc
flour has advanced from to 1C
per cent. There has also been ar
advance in pork loins, bacon anC
ham. although the same report
continues. there has been no in
crease in the price of hogs.
Although cattle have not in
creased beef has advanced 10 pei
cent. Even dry beans have ad-
vanced 2 cents a pound and cot
ton thread is per cent.