New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-20
FOODSTUFF PRICES
Due FOR BIG RISE
Wholesalers Predict 80
Per Cent Increase in
Table Staples.
MEAT HOARDED TO
REAP HUGE PROFIT
Spectators Hold Carloads of
Poultry-Flour Higher-TO
Open Public Markets.

While food prices remained practi-
oally stationary yesterday. wholesalers
took a gloomy view Of the situation and
prophesied a 30 per cent rise IN the
prices Of beans, peas, soups, salmon
and cereals when the ship registry bill
brought about better shipping facili-
ties. More evidence Of speculation in
food products was laid before Com
missioner Joseph Hartigan Of the Blu
reau Of Weights and Measures.
Wholesalers said that as soon rs
commerce was resumed vast quantities
Of foods suitable for army rations
would be sold abroad at high prices
and corresponding increases IN price
would be made to the local'buyer. In
preparation for this foreign market it
is said that many wholesalers have
already placed orders with canning
companies and other producers suih-
cient 20 cover their entire output.
From other sources 10 was reported
to Commissioner Hartigan that the
packers also were preparing for an era
of high prices. Commissioner Hartigan
was told that the shortage of beef on
the hoof was due 20 boarding by the
packers, who controlled great feeding
lots near the central markets. In these
lots, il was said, cattle were being col
lected in great numbers and held until
the expected high prices justified plac-
ing them on the market.
IL was also said that the refriger-
ating plants controlled by the packers
were filled to the caves with Austria
liam. New Zealand and Argentine beef
which was shipped here three months
ago. These reports have been trans
mitted 10 the Mayors Food Commit
tee, and that body will probably take
them up with the federal government,
whose inspectors supervise the packers
feeding lots, and 10 the State Depart
ment of Health, in whose charge are
the cold storage warehouses. As much
Of the beef is said 10 be stored in New
Jersey, it has been suggested that the
authorities of that state be asked 10
cooperate in a thorough investigation.
Transactions in Sugar.
Contrasting methods of selling sugar,
which fell off slightly at wholesale yes
terday. although the reduction was said
10 be only temporary, were discovered
Yesterday by Commissioner Harugan.
A Ludlow st. wholesale grocer has
100000 pounds stored in his place of
business and is holding il at 81 80
Another wholesaler
who has nearly 100000 pounds offered
through Commissioner Hartigan's in
spectors TO sell the entire amount 20
the Hebrew Retail Grocers' Associa-
ton st Sc % a hundredweight. The as
ISOLATION accepted the offer with
thanks. II is estimated that this sale
will enable the 5000 members OF the
association 10 sell sugar for 25 cents
bag of three and one-haf pounds IN
stead Of % cents.
Flour Jumped from Sc so a barrel to
81 a barrel Yesterday. Although sugar
remained stationary at about 81 90
hundredweight, il was said that no
large orders could be filled at that
price. The refneries are still holding
old contracts at 81 70 a hundredweight,
and are said to be three or four weeks
behind in their orders. Rice is another
commodity that is quoted at So 20, and
is said 10 be practically unobtainable
in large quantities.
The Open Market Committee meet
ing Yesterday in the Office Of Borough
President Marks decided to open free
public markets for farmers on Septem-
Der /. They will be at the Fort Lee
Ferry. 129th st. and Third av. and be-
meath the approaches of the Manhat-
tan, Williamsburg and greensboro
bridges
District Attorney Whitman's inquiry
will start this morning in the Criminal
Courts Building before Chief Magis-
tRte McAdoo.
Mrs. Julian Heath wrote TO President
Wilson yesterday for the Housewives
League, asking that expectations of
foodstuffs be curtailed.
Stewards from several Of the biggest
hotels in Brooklyn and Long Island
went before the federal grand jury Of
the Eastern District of New York yes
terday and testified TO the abnormal
jump in food prices since the Euro
pean war started. 1t was the begin
ming of United States Attorney Will
lam J. YoungS's investigation into I'M
warranted raising Of food prices.
The United Hebrew Trades arranged
yesterday for a mass meeting Satur-
day afternoon in Union Square to pro
test against the attempts Of retailers
and middlemen TO raise the prices cf
food products on the preteXt that the
war in Europe had affected them.