Weekly journal-miner., 1916-01-12
PRICES OF FOOD
 HIGHEST IN 27 YEARS


 prices in the United States during 1914 were higher than at any time during the last 37 years with the ex- ception of the years 1882 when they were 4 per cent higher than 1914 prices, 1883 when they were on the same level and i1 1912 when they were 1 per cent higher. The bureau of labor statistics in its annual bulle- tin just issued on wholesale prices of commodities reviewing the years from 1860 to 1914 discloscs fiat in the 55 years food prices were highest in 1884 when they were 76 per cent more than 1914 prices and lowest in 1S96 when they were 40 per cent be low
 In the years of the Civil war and during a dozen years or more after ward prices of all commodities were the highest since 1860 when the first attempt was made at keeping record of wholesale prices. In 1864 prices of most commodities reached their high est point. Lowest prices were record ed in tie years from 1894 to 1898.
 Effect On Wholesale Prices.
 The effect of the European war on wholesale prices in thc United States is not fully disclosed in the report as prices for only the first five months of the war arc recorded. Compari- son of Civil war prices with those prevailing in this country during the European war therefore is not possi- ble. The Spanish-American war ap- parently had little effect on whole sale prices as they remained on about the same level as they had been in the period immediately preceding 1t.
 Farm products prices in 1914 were higher than they had been in the last A. years. As with food prices their highest point was reached in 1864 when S5 per cent more than in 1914 and lowest in 1S96 when 56 per cent below.
 Clothes and clothing were lower in 1914 than during the previous year and were higher than at any time since 1884. when they were on the same level. except in 1907, 1910 and 1913. Their highest prices were in 1861 when 254 per cent more than 1914 and lowest in 1896 and 1S91 when 25 per cent lower.
 Fuel and lighting prices were per cent lower in 1914 than in 1913 but were 3 per cent higher than the low est point reached in 1894. and 120 per cent below the highest point. reached i1 1865
 Metals Low.
 Metals and metal products were lower than they had been since 1905, being s per cent below 1913 prices. Their highest point was reached in 1864 when l94 per cent higher than in 1914 and lowest in 1898 wnen P per cent below 1914 prices.
 Lumber and building materials were 4 per cent lower than in 1913. S2 per cent below their highest prices reached in 1864 and 3S per cent above their lowest point reached in 1897.
 Drugs and chemicals were per cent higher than in 1913 and higher than they had been in 3 years They were 2S0 per cent below their highest point made in 1S64 and B per cent higher than their lowest prices in 1895.
 House furnishing goods were high CT than they had been in 30 years. be- ing g per cent higher than their low est prices made in 1897 and lS4 per cent below the highest prices pre- vailing in 1861.
 Prices of all commodities combined were per cent below the prices of 1913 and on the same level as those of 1912. They were lower by l37 per cent than the hign prices of 1884 and higher by B per cent than the lowest prices prevailing in the years of lS96 and 1897. :.