Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-03
MEAT AT ZENITH
OF HIGH COST AND
RELIEF REMOTE
While Prices Probably Will
Not Advance, They Are
Not Likely to Fall
SHORTAGE IN THE SUPPLY

The gradual but steady increase in the
price Of meat and other foodstuffs has
reached its zenith. This, however, does
not mean that housewives of Philadelphia
may look for relief from the present pro-
hibitory prices. Dealers in provisions, who
are the authority for the statement that
the increase has stopped, also say prices
will remain Just about as they are now for
| some time to come.
Developments in the meat situation that
have caused the prices to rise higher than
has been the case for 30 years are, accord
| ing to l. W. Merrill, manager Of Bradley s
| Meat Market, at 2ist and Market streets,
three in number. They are:
(1) The cutting off Of the South Ameri-
can supply.
(2) A general shortage of cattle in this
| country.
(3) Enormous slaughtering Of cattle as
| result OF the devastating foot-and-mouth
| disease
The wholesale killing of cattle to check
| this disease will take four years to over
come. according to Mr. Merrill.
But the advance in meat prices has
been accompanied by increased prices of
the majority of other commodities. William
Margerum. OF the Terminal Market added
however. that there was a great difference
in the quality of meats and that higher
priced cuts might really be cheaper In the
end.
RETAILERS PROFITS CUT.
Retailers are getting the worst OF the
argument between the public and them
selves. Such, at least, was the view taken
by the representative of John H. Geltz,
proprietor of n chain of stores throughout
the city. our profits are cut TO nothing"
he said. I'VE are selling leg of lamb for
practically what we are paying for the
whole lamb ourselves and we have to stand
all the loss by waste For chickens we are
paying a penny pound more today than
was the case yesterday. We cannot charge
the extra penny to our customers. don't
know whether the top price of meat has
been reached yet or not. 1 can only hope
that 1t has"
Housewives who have been trying TO find
compensation for the high prices of meat In
alleged lower prices for vegetables will find
little comfort, II any, in Philadelphia mar
kets
While It is true that there has been a sud
den decline of a dollar barrel In the price
of new potatoes in the last few days, 1t is
regarded by dealers only temporary and
as the result of the local demand not being
equal to the supply.
VEGETABLES COST MORE
Besides potatoes, cabbage, carrots, beets,
beans. peas and onions are considered the
staple vegetables, and all of these are
higher In prices than they were year ago.
Peas and beans are SO a hamper today,
while this time last year they were bringing
only $1.25. Cabbage is S1.50 today, as
compared with 81 year ago. Onions are
Sl,75 crate today, against $1.25 and $3.50
last year.
Among the few vegetables that are
cheaper today than a year ago are aspara-
gus, quoted at from to II cents bunch
as against 10 to 23 cents at same date last
year. Spinach can be had for a song
bringing only 81 barrel. Rhubarb is very
cheap and lettuce Is comparatively cheap,
but is subject to great fluctuations from
day to day.
STRAWBERRIES SCARCE AT PRESENT.
Jersey Strawberries are so scorce that
they are not considered as In the market.
There is very little Southern corn as yet,
and what there is is poor in quality.
According to Ralph b. Clayberger, 134
Dock street. president of the Philadelphia
branch of the National League of Commits
si"n Merchants of the United States. the
unreasonable weather which has prevailed
up to the present is largely responsible for
high prices; but IL the weather conditions
change for the better, as he expects, there
will soon be low prices and plenty of fruit
and vegetables In the markets. The season.
he says, Is about three weeks behind, and
in three Yeeks from now Delaware and New
Jersey will be pouring their produce into
Philadelphia markets.
Everything, he says, depends on the
weather; all other conditions are favorable
for abundance OF supply and consequent
low prices, as there is large acreage under
cultivation and the plants are healthy and
growing.
So IL meat prices don't come down before |
q lapse of three or four weeks an abundance |
of good vegetables at low prices will likely |
compensate for the present war prices OF |
beef, mutton and lamb.