The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-27
WHOLESALE PRICES
SHOW Big CHANGES
Farm Products Much Higher
i'm 1914 Than in 1913,
Says L. s. Report.
ATTRIBUTED TO THE WAR

WASHINGTON. Dec. 26.-The effects
following the outbreak Of the war on
the wholesale prices of various conmo-
dlties in the way Of Increases as well
as decreases are reflected In a statistical
bulletin showing wholesale prices for
1914 and preceding years. which was
issued by the bureau OF labor statistics
to-day.
The most marked fluctuations during
1914 occurred in the prices of articles
belonging to the farm products. food.
metals and lighting groups. Although
no Investigation vas made OF the causes
of these fluctuations 1t Is assumed that
they were due in large part. If not en-
tireIy. to the opening of hostilities in
July. 1914.
Wholesale prices in the United States
as measured by the aggregate value in
exchange OF $40 representative COM
mod!ties We're nearly | per cent. lower
In 1914 than in 1913. The majority Of
articles which showed a decided increase
belong to food and farm products groups.
"A fact Of some interest in connection with
the cost OF living problem.
Farm products increased in price
from January to August the bulletin
81 - aAN'l HiAN lHte SlttullS lttlltltN
until the end OF the year. In the food
group prices were loves; in March. April
and May, increasing to their maximum
in September, while In the metals and
metal producing group and also In that
OF fuel and lighting materials prices
We're highest FOR the first three months OF
the year and lowest in the last three.
Drugs and chemicals were lowest
during the first eight months and high
est during the last four months OF the
year. In the remaining groups taken
as n whole prices showed a rising ten
dency during the latter part of 1914.
while no attempt has been made TO
investigate the causes OF the rise and
fall of prices in 1914 IL is obvious that
the present European war has infiu-
enced to a pronounced extent the mar
ket value of many commodities. This
is particularly true OF foodsturs for
which there is now n greatly increased
demand abroad and Of n few articles
classed as drugs or chemicals.
Thus. comparing the highest with the
lowest average monthly price within the
year, wheat in Minneapolis advanced 80
per cent. ; contract corn in Chicago ad-
vanced 80 per cent. oats. 81 per cent.
rye. ~ per cent. choice prime beef
steers, Is per cent. ~granulated sugar,
SO per cent. opium, 60 per cent. alum,
81 per cent, and glycerine, 81 per cent
ION the other hand. owing to disturbed
market conditions attributable in large
measure to the war. cotton In New Or
leans declined so per cent In price,
crude petroleum, ~ per cent. iron ore.
l6 per cen ingot copper. "a per cent.
pig lead. l6 per cent. steel billets. 10
per cent structural steel. 10 per cent.
linseed oil, 25 per cent. and ~cottonseed
oil. 81 per cent.
"Of the l2i series of price quotations
in the farm products and food groups
I ~seventy-two commodities or grades OF
| commodities Increased In price. forty
four decreased and eight We're un-
changed. The articles showing the
greatest Increases were corn. oats. rye
wheat, iaXseed, New York State hops
calfskins. peanuts, tobacco. canned corn
rye flour, wheat -four. onions. potatoes
and vinegar. Some of the articles which
decreased in price were cotton. butter
canned tomatoes, coffee. lemons and
oranges