Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-29
CITY MAY JOIN IN
FIGHT ON PRICES
Crisis Leads Housewives League
to Call Meeting to Con-
slider Boycott
COMMODITIES STILL SOARING
Pinch Of Rising Market Felt
Keenly by Salaried and
Working Classes.

Working Classes.
With the prices Of foodS,uns in
many instances at the high"s, level
since the War between the states. and
with many Of tho larger cities attempt
ing to force tho high cost OF ucccssi-
tics downward through the operation
OF boycotts and embargocs by the con-
suincr. a special meeting Of the eXc"u-
tive committee of the Richmond House
wives League has been called TO CON
slider tho advisability Of such action in
Richmond The meeting will lie held
Friday afternoon ~ o'clock "a, the
home Of the president. Mrs. stuart
MichauX. o2G West Franklin street;
Officers Of the league have been
watching closely for several days the
trend Of the movement in New York.
Boston and Chicago. where drasti"
steps have been taken by city officials
and oth.rs in an effort TO reduce the
abnormally high prices which. /, is
charged. arc the result. in part. Of
attempts 10 Corner" the supply Of
many articles Of food
CALI ron MEETING roLi.owS
NEWS or NORFOLK ACTION
The special meeting OF the executive
committee nf the Richmond House
wives League called yesterday
after aiviccs from Norfolk had been
received telling of tho boycotts de-
clarcd in that c.:y against turkeys and
cggs. These commodities arc retailing
in that city for 20 cents per dozen Tor
eggs aud - TO "a cents per Mound for
turkey. The probability OF still further
advances forced the Norfolk nssociatio
10 take action,
I'riccs for turkeys quoted in Rich
monh yesterday were somewhat less
than thtse for the seaport city. but. on
the other hand. the retail price of eggs
was substantially higher in Richmond
than in Norfolk The more moderate
quotations on turkeys we're the direct
result OF a temporarily well ll-supplied
market in Richmond. the supply cx-
cecdinE the demand in this city.
we have called this meeting" said
Mrs. MichauX last night. Tor the pur-
pose o: discussing and considering the
advisab!li,y Of declaring boycotts.
Such action has been taken In other
cities OF tho country. and We have
committees now gathering Information
which will bc presented 10 the com
rnittee a, the meeting Friday.
COMMITTEE HOPES
To RELIEVE SITUATION
The committee will give most
deliberate consideration Of the prob
lem-to tho causes and 10 the rem
cdies-and in hopes that We
may relieve the situati6n"''
Definite action is expected to be
taken. since increasing complaint has
been heard in recent weeks against
the steadily rising prices OF various
foodstuMs, and IL is probable that
action against other commodities
than turkeys and eggs will be taken
by the league.
The Richmond Housewives League
has membership AT this time of more
than $50 and each member is a large
buyer OF various commodities Declara-
tons OF boycot;s by this organization
would undoubtedly be felt in Rich
;nond. and officers Of the league are
firm in the belief that they will find
many housewives in Richmond not
members OF the organization tina; Will
give them all the assistance possible
in the attempt 20 reduce the prices of
commodities In this city.
NEARLY EVERY CoMMODITN
HAS INCREASED N TRICE
The price OF practically every item
required By family has shown great
advances in recent months. and condi-
tions. 1t is admitted. have in many
respects become critical Not only have
foodstuffs increased from 81 to - per
cent over the quotations prevailing sa
year ago. hut clothing. shoes and prac-
ti"ally every other commodity have
likewise made heavy advances. The
ratio Of living expenses to salaries and
wages Of tho average householder is
far greater. il is said. than at any time
in recent years.
While the cost of living has been
soaring. wages in many lines and
among office employees have remain ed
practically stationary. Certain classes
of labor are receiving to-day proba bly,
the highest wages ever paid for that
class OF work. yet the Increased earn
inEs have not been correspondence as
large An have the advanced commodity
prices. The average American is suf-
ferinE on all sides.
With the winter months just ap-
preaching. reports arc current OF
probable famines in coal. The retail
price OF this commodity has advanced
from 81 to s. per ton. Many factors
are said to he the cause Of this ad-
vance. and the blame is placed on many
shoulders and denied with equal en-
rhasis by all concerned.
tOLD-SToRAGE PLANTS
HELD PARTLY RESPONSIBLE
The boarding OF foodstuffs in cold
storage plants is held to he partly re-
Sponsible Tor the present high prices
In many OF the larger cities Of the
country where drastic steps are being
taken In an effort to relieve the situa
ton. especially in Chicago, II is
charged that thousands Of eggs have
heen placed in cold storage for no
other reason than to keep the prices
up. That such a condition exists in
Richmond is not generally believed. hut
the high prices in other cities arc nat
urally In this city