The Alaska daily empire., 1916-11-29
ON THE HIGH COST OF LIVING


 The rapid advance in the cost of living is noted not only in ,he countries of Europe actusuy engaged in war but in all neutral countries of both hemis pheres. Naturally one expects that in Europe the COS, ot living should be greatly increased. It is a concomant plan Of war. a direct result of nations pursuing the science Of warfare in all its various forms and phases. instead Of cultivatng the paths Of peace which in all ages have been productive of that progress which has led to national greatness and advancement along altrustic lines.
 That the war on the European continent should have had the effect of so materially increasing the cost Of living in the New World is but evidence O. wars wider manifestations The daily press and periodicals Of both North and South America tell a story Of the economic effects the European debaee The increases Tn the prices nearly all commodities in every day is little short Of startling. While wages are high in the United States and there is no lack Of employment. the purchasing power of the dol Ter has steadily declined in the past two three years: and t Is quite evident that the general in crease in wage scales has not kept pace with the steady uplift in prices. That in some cases the in crease in prices is due to crop shortages is manifest as to others there Is ample evidence of manipula
 on on the part of manufacturers and dealers boost prices at time when conditions are generally chaotic and the purchasing public is in mood to expect anything to happen. It seems Co have become quite the thing to blame the war in Europe for the unset tied state of the affairs of the world-commercal and all other.
 A short wheat crop and heavy exports to Europe have served to raise the price Of flour to a point that has been reached but once or twice in the hs tory of the United States producing sugar than ever before. still we are confronted by still higher prices for the product the largest producer Of leather goods and the greatest importer of hides pay greatly increased prices for our footwear In this connection. t may be pointed out that few days ago. the National Association of Shoe Manufac turers assured the public that further advance in the prices ot shoes anticipated If this means anything it means that the manufacturers are satis fled with the prices they now receiving. or that they believe that further advances would compel the American people to go barefooted rather than wear shoes In Chicago the price of eggs has scared sky ward. due. is alleged. to many being held in cold storage by spectators in order enhance the price and soak the public. And Chicago egg consumers are being urged to boycott the fruit of the unassuming hen until the beginning of the year. when it is ex- pected "biddy" will resume greater activity of pro- duction.
 Another reason for the prevailing high prices is due, doubt the cost or distribution Time was and not so long ago. when the average housewife did her own buying and marketing Now it is done to an enormous extent. by telephone. Therefore mod ern invention has been an accessory the increased cost Of living The dealer from the peanut vendor Co the grocery and drygoods store. must have de- livery system employing many and vehicles. for orders. no matter how small must be filled with ueatness and dispatch"
 And still we look around for the causes of the increased cost of living with reminders every side, in homes and the streets. The cost of high living has much to do with the high of ly- ing In this most favored Of nations not content to be merely comfortable with necessities of ife we must have the luxuries. The example set by the rich and prosperous in their mode of living has been such inspire in people the desire live beyond their and to take little thought of the future. And the price must be paid Rome's luxury led to her downfall. History is full of exam ples Of the luxurious decadence of nations and of peoples. and the United States following the steps Of nations noted for wealth and power but now remembered as having only once existed
 "Ill fares the land to hastening ills prey
 Where wealth accumulates and men decay"
 And so we go plunging along toward caste in the clothes closet and society in the cellar No wonder we are confronted by the of high living and the ,icb cost Of eyistencef