Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-17
SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY.

High prices of food are, traceable to
a combination of causes. There was d
distinct crop shortage turnout the
United States this year. Iowa raised
a good crop but the government esti-
mate for the nation shows decline in
yields. This means less food than
usual for the entire population. Coin
cident with short supply comes an
abnormal demand from two sources,
Doth due TO the war. Our own con-
Stunning population has been employed
in good numbers on rush orders for
war supplies at war wages and its de-
mands for food has increased because
of its prosperity. Multiplied by several
million workers at unusual wages and
multiplied again by the average num-
Der in each workers family this
extraordinary demand for food has Il
tremendous effect upon the market
Europe is buying food in America be-
cause the Russian food supply is bot
tied UP by the war. This has brought
added buyers into American markets
for food which is short in supply. In
creased demand at home and abroad
plus short supply has shot the prices Of
food skyward.
Spectators are quick 10 seize upon
their opportunity when a commodity is
short and the demand increasing
Money IS cheap and plentiful with
which to buy up great quantities o:
products for storage. Never were the
cold storage plants SO glutted with food
supplies in the hands Of the specu,a-
tors. They too, are helping 10 bull the
market
II is temporary but serious while e
lasts. Most OF the burden must fall
upon the. wage workers. Their wages
viii go up but wages never come down
and industry is compelled to coun,
every advance as a permanent increase
in the cost Of production. Prices Of
toodstuffs vii! fall. a good crop. re-
taxation in war orders or release Of
Russian grain from its Imprisonment,
the return Of many millions OF men
from war 10 producing viii bring
prices Of food down but wages once up
will stay up. The average worker will
quit one job and seek another even al
lower pay before he will accept a re-
luctlon in wages. Hence it follows that
wages will not rise as fast as food
prices but they will not fall without q
period of hard times which will throw
men out Of employment. II the job is
permanent the wage will equalize the
cost Of food in the long run, but Il the
job can't endure adversely the worker
loses.
There never was q boom in town
lots that did not burst. Every period
OF high prosperity has been followed
by its reflex OF depression. Ii never
rains but what the sun shines again
and in most lands the sunshine is In.
evitably followed by its rainy period.
Saving something for rainy day is an
aGage as old as man but there never
vas time when il was az important
an axiom Of life as it is today nor as
difficult TO follow. The job that can
last thru adversely as well as thru
prosperity will in the long run meet
advances in food prices
with q small 6ut continuous rise in
wages but the job that is stimulated 10
a high wage by war prosperity Will end
as suddenly and as surely as spree.
The farmer, however. mas the safest
bet OF them all. Increase Of population
Is all in the cities. His market grows
with every year and il grows far faster
than his production. He will never be
cut Of a job.