The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-11-17

1
selves when the stress of the war is
! over. ..as. 20,
The Mexican status is so distorted
| by political considerations, one can
not quite tell what the situation is.
Both parties in the United States have
been under a strain-the Republicans
to criticize President Wilson 3 Mexican
policies and the Democrats to Justify
all that has been done. Just how much
attention the country has been paying
I to all the hula baloo over Mexico is not
quite clear but certainly Mexico has
become quite an issue.
From all appearances the Mexican
problem will be with the government
at Washington for long time vet.
Carranza has not pacified Mexico by
any means. -,j-. n
Feeling Higher Prices
While the United States is enjoying
great prosperity, some of which
comes from the European war it is also
feeling greatly the pinch Of high
prices, a resultant of the European
war. Foodstuffs have been increasing
in price constantly for more than a
year, which is likewise true of many
other commodities. But the jumps in
prices of late weeks has been frequent
and from all appearances will continue.
European demands for food and cloth
ing are felt in every direction
Wheat has scared to the unpre.
cedented price of two dollars bushel,
which has made Hour cost ten dollars
and twelve dollars a barrel, and the
five cent loaf, standard throughout the
cities of the Union, is now beginning
TO sell for six cents and more 1t has
even been suggested that the export of
wheat should be prohibited, 80 as to
assure sufficient for home consumption.
This could not we'll be undertaken, for
it is directly in contradiction to the
trade spirit of the country and would,
of course provoke most vigorous pro-
tests from the owners of that com.
modify.
But as the cold weather sets in,
making season when it always costs
a little more to live and when returns
from employment are likely in many
callings to be smaller, the higher costs
of living will surely be emphasized. 1t
Is already being demonstrated in
numerous ways. For example renters
OF houses are eeOnomizing in many
cities by fOcking more than ever into !
apartments.
Gold Supply Huge
President Wilson said recently in Gin.
that the United States might |
shortly be holding half the gold of |
the world, SO enormously has the trade
balance increased in favor of the
United States, The presence of so
much gold Is making money exceed
Ingiy plentiful in. the States and not
only stimulating new enterprises but
making prices higher. Business men
Ind financial men the country over are
turning their attention rs never, be.
lore to the conditions and consequent
problems with this large influx of gold
brings.
1t is only a month now before con.
sress resumes its sessions The life of
he present congress expires March 1,
9l7, by constitutional limitation. De.
ember, January and February are the
months in which this legislative body
must provide authorizations Of funds
With which to support the government
or fiscal year OF, twelve months, be-
aiming July l next.
The estimates for these appropria-
ions have been made up in the depart
nents during the past month but will
ot be made public for some time yet.
'ertain it is however, that about
i 400, 900, 900 must be voted by con.
ress in those three months. A great
cal Of legislative scrutiny Is involved
that task. Generally IL is not a par
Icularly interesting procedure and
robably will not be this winter. Con ,
rcss can not have much time for any
hing else and those Of its members In !
enate and house who have failed of
'election will likely give little time or
ttentiOn to any part Of the task. At
'ast that is what usually happens in
legislative junctme between four
ear administrations.