The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-19

altogether when Turkey entered the war
and the Austrian supply was reduced to
what could be brought through by rail. a
very uncertain dependence.
Denmark, Egypt, Great Britain.
Italy. Russia, Spain and Turkey forbade
the expectation of practically all food
stuffs; France, Norway and Sweden
listed certain articles which must not
be exported. and Holland placed an
embargo on butter and cheese. In some
cases these restrictions were removed
or modified after business had become
adjusted to war conditions.
Fixing maximum prices, especially
for f~oodstufs. by some governmental
agency was a very common measure.
TO some extent it was used by every
country included in this report, although
in Great Britain and sweden so little OF
the sort was done that these countries
might almost be exc pied. In Great
Britain the Governments action VAS
purely advisory. except In regard to
suCar which the Government purchased
in large quantity for resale in order to
keep down the retail price. In Holland
the wheat supply was seized by the
Government, to be distributed under its
supervision at fixed prices. and In
sweden, although a law was passed
October 3. 1914. empowering the crown
to fix maximum prices from time to
time. n arbitrary prices had been fixed
w TO December.
"Ir France. Germany. Greece. Italy.
Netherlands, Russia, Spain and parts OF
Turkey the municipal authorities. either
alone or III cooperation with the central
or military authorities, might fix MAXI
mum prices II they thought best. In
most cases this right was of long stand
ing. In all VI these countries the muni-
cipal authorities have very generally
made use of this right. In switzerland
the municipal authorities had the same
right. but found difficulties in the way
OF It's exercise. In Basel, for instance.
when the authorities proposed to fix the
price of meat. the butchers threatened
to close their shops II they were thus
restricted In Bulgaria Il special law
was passed early in August AUTHORIZE z
local authorities with the participation
OF the financial authorities TO fix prices.
both Wholesale and retail III Egypt a
commission WAS appointed by the GEN.
trial Government with power TO fix max
imum prices. publishing weekly lists OF
th- prices thus fixed. Denmark. Nor
way and Sweden also resorted 10 COM
missions for this purpose. In Serbia
the Ministry OF the Interior was charged
with the duty % fixing maximum prices.
The report concludes:
The Importance and full significance
IN the increases IN prices which occurred
would not be fai.ly presented without
reference ~ the fact that increased cos,
OF living. and especially the increase In
food prices, has for several years beer
Al question Of serious concern in prac.
tica,ly all of the European countries
The upward movement; IN prices pr.ol
TO the war a IN fact been worldwide
, An inquiry Of the British Board OF
Trade in 1912 showed increases In fooJ
: prices IN various countries over price:
in 1900. ranging from II per cent II
Great Britain and France to Ii pei
cent. IN Australia. to so per cent. IL
! Germany. To 81 per cent. in Belgium an,
s. pcr cent IN Austria. In Canada an,
in the United states the iuvreas, show
was even greater than the highest o
these figures
THUS It will he seen tina, the IN
creased prices directly dut TO tn,
war, coming as the elimination OF
long period OF Increases, are much NOR,
serious 10 the masses " tire population
than the mere figures indicate. 1t )
obvious TOO that the increases Of thu frs
four to six months rsNres, uted only IN
beginning Of the wars effect on the COS
Of living"