Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-02

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Paris. Nov 9-Louis Malvy, Minister
of the Interior, speaking of the cutlery
Of retail provision dealers and con-
sumers against rising prices OF meats
and certain provisions says: IF the
situation is serious it is not alarming.
| am under the impression that the
measures already taken by the govern
ment and those that will be taken
will remove ali danger of further in
creases and will provoke some de-
creaseS.
A prominent member of the provision
committee of the central markets sums
up the situation this way: Paris was
spoiled by the astonishingly low cost
of living during the first months of the
war. 1t is characteristic of the Paris
ian to consider all benefits once en-
joyed as acquired rights. On the 9TH
er hand certain dealers seem 70 have
been intoxicated by stories OF fabulous
war profits made by certain categories
i.of merchants and manufacturers; they
don't intend to be left out of ii If they
can help it. There you have the eXpla-
nation Of the present conflict between
the wholesale and retail provision deal
ers and the consumer. the consumer
wants peace prices and the dealer
wants war profits. There is happy
medium somewhere and the govern
ment will probably find it
This conflict has made the cheese pa
vilion at the Central market one of the
liveliest spots in Paris in the early
morning hours. 1t appears that certain
] - Va Z n a
er in camembert; the women of the
Paris creameries are after them with
sharp tongues and decayed vesela-
bles. From four to u cents a cheese
in June 1914 camembert has gone up
to Is to 20 cents. At these prices IT is
often unobtainable even at the opening
of the market and when buyers ask
why the commission merchants say all
their receipts have been bought up by
telegraph and telephone. Such sales
are not according to market rules. All
receipts should be sold the day received
by word of mouth. and one dealer who
replied in this way was obliged TO
take to cover before the Indignation
of cheesemongers who saw high piles
of cases of camesnbert in front of them
but not a box for sale.
The monopolizers of camembert and
other provisions are merchants in the
zone of the armies who are making
high profits out of soldiers and are able
to outbid the Paris retail dealer. A
maximum tariff for all provisions sold
at the front is a remedy proposed by
the project of police. thus limiting
dealers profits and preventing abnor-
NAL prices.
Just why this conflict broke out in
the name of camembert does not ap-
pear. Brie cheese has advanced quite
as much and all other varieties are
from so per cent to hundred per cent
higher. Eggs have also gone UP a
hundred per cent. selling now at from
35 to so cents a dozen wholesale, ac-
cording to grade. Butter which av-
eraged 90 cents a pound a year ago
has gone to 81 cents. This butter and
egg question developed violent Incl
dent at the Caen market yesterday
when a merchant asking exorbitant
prices and replying insolently to a Gus
TONER'S complaint suffered the mortif-
cation of posing as target for his own
stock used as projectiles by the in
dignant public ~
The introduction Of cold storage beef
into the market has failed of the antic-
ipated effect on prices and the reason
givensis that the stock yards people at
La Villette who look askance at the
imported article have been able to
bring sufficient pressure to bear upon
retail dealers to prevent a favorable
presentation of CONCEALED beef. 1t is
declared that in some cases the import
ed article was made up" SO as to repel
prospective buyers. Government offic-
ials declare, however. that where the
imported meat has been put on the
market properly it has been an unqual-
flied success. Competent judges say
that for roast and Steaks it is even SUI
perior to the fresh French beef, and
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