Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-10-18
FOOD PRICES
STILL SOARING
Predictions Of Manager Of
Flour Company

bakers IN all paTLS Oh tHe countIS
to raise their prices for bread, will
probably reach S12 barrel &C
cording to Tully C. Estee, eastern
manager of the Washburn-Crosy
Company, one of the great flour
milling concerns in the country.
The advance will be due, he
says, to the great increase in the
price of wheat, which has fallen
short in both quality and quantity
during the spring and summer and
also of course to the great amount
exported to Europe.
Dictated by wheat values
said Mr.. Estee, sit is very possible
and appears to be we'll indicated
that flour values will reach S12 a
barrel"
The great milling companies
will not profit by the high prices,
but will probably lose money on
account of them, it was pointed
out yesterday by -four milling men,
as the companies are compelled to
buy their wheat at the prevailing
price, and the men to whom they
sell their flour drive a much hard
err bargain than when flour is "a
or SIS a barn ell, as it was in 1907.
Calls For Embargo On Exports
The amount of flour exported to
Europe is about the same as last
year, but the price has gone up
from Sc last year to 500 and
$3.50 a barrel now, and bids fair
to reach S12 before the rise is over.
Only Federal embargo, the end
of the war, or the opening of the
Dardenelles to permit the pass .ge
of Russian wheat will greatly re-
lieve the situation. Statistics
show that next year there will
probably not be enough wheat IN
the country to satisfy the demands
of Europe and those of this coun-
try.
The outlook in the sugar field is
slightly more encouraging. Charles
M. Warner, president of the War
ner Sugar Refining Company, pre-
dicted a slight decrease in price
from present figures during No
vember. Refined sugar now sells
four about 7 cents pound whole
sale.
Should Feed America First
Predicting further skyrocketing
of food prices, Joseph Hartlgan,
commissioner of weights and mea-
sures, has declared himself in ia
vor of a federal embargo on food
stuffs.
prices will continue to rise"
says Mr.. Hartigan, who is secre-
tary of the mayors food commit
tee. "By Jan. /, 1917, they will be
60 to 70 per cent higher than they
were at the beginning of the Eu'
ropean war, and Is to 20 per cent
higher than they are now.
"The only relief, as | see it, is
in federal restriction on edibles
sent to Europe. We certainly
should feed America first and a
American prices.
Labor unions, women's clubs
and many special organization:
will demand an embargo. | viii
do all | can to further it. Why
food prices are higher than they
have ever been in this country, ex
cept in time of war;"
How the cost of living has soar
ed was told statistically in figures
received at the commissioners of
fee yesterday from the Depart
ment of Agriculture. Prices il
general are about 2l.9 per cen
higher than year ago, lab pc
cent higher than two years ago
and 1876 per cent higher than tin
average for the last eight years.
Meat 10 per cent Higher
Meat animals are about 1914 pc
cent higher than year ago, s.
per cent higher than two year
ago and 81 per cent higher thai
the average for the last six years
Here are the departments fig
ures and the change in prices o
foodstuffs in the last year, tn
first figures showing the cost pc
bushel in 1915 and the second i
1916:
Wheat, S0.95, S1.312; corr
SO.773, $O.S36; oats, 1886, $0.43l
barley, SO.519, s0.729; rye, $685.
$O.997; buckwheat, SO.814, S0.864
white potatoes, S0.505, Sl.O93
sweet potatoes, $0.S46, SO.S99; az
Piles (per barreD, SLIT, 1921
peaches, $0.854, S1.149.
-Ey