The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-11-16
ABOUT Living
FEW MADISONIANS STINT SELVES
DESPITE SOARING COST
OF EXISTENCE.

That Madison citizens are of the
opinion that the price of sustenance
which has been elevated to a point al
most beyond the conception of the av-
erage family head. is not to be sue
cessfully combated by purchasing
tawdry articles of apparel or of food
stuffs of inferior quality even though
the first cost would be somewhat less
than when better qualities are de
manded, is evidenced by the general
tone of trading in Madison stores.
Dealers say that on the whole, ele-
waited prices have not had the effect
of greatly stimulating a demand for
the mediocre class Of goods, although
ii is rue hat there are now, as al
ways, some who actually cannot pur-
chase as they would like. and those
who nave always entertained a belief
that there is a saving in buying the
cheaper necessities.
Getting tsed to IL.
II is told that the high cost of liv-
ing has come to be taken as a matter
OF course by methodical family pilots,
and that the inevitable increased al
lowance for living expenses is so
graduated as to permit of a greater
expenditure for practically all needs.
1t is pointed out hat except in the
ease of imported goods, the cost of
good clothing has not advanced i'll
proportion to that of cheaply made
articles.
The same holds true with regard
10 the purchase of foo~dstuffs, save
tlnt tho nnrohauar nj nrnyteinnC has
not so great a latitude in choosing
between the better and poorer grades,
grocerymen declare. 1t is said that
the increase in prices has not had a
tendency TO reduce the standard OF
food set on the average Madison
table. 1t Is explained, however. that
while increased prices have not. on
the whole, affected the demand for
a good quality Of eatables, smaller
lots are sold now than formerly.
Where articles of food d couple OF
years ago were commonly bought in
dozens. half dozens or in packages OF
generous size, half lots are becoming
TO be The rule.
No Recourse Now.
The present period differs from
former eras OF high prices in that
there is practically no loophole
through which TO escape from *
pensiye eating. When in former
!. years reduced production caused
prices OF some articles of food TO
soar. the more frugal were privileged
to confine their diet to foods that
were plentiful and cheap. No such
choice is offered now. Even the
much scoffed at pork and bean fare
is purchased at a price that would
have bought "A luxurious meal before
the war. Price figures show hat IT
would cost just about as much to dine
off potatoes, bread, butter and tea
or coffee as it would to partake of
larger variety.
Not SO Poor.
The quality OF goods purchased Ii
one of several concrete proofs thai
Madison and tributary district are
sharing in the general prosperity. il
is pointed out. Only in rare instances
are citizens compelled to stint them
selves i'm the matter OF food or dress
Dealers in ladies' wearing apparel re
port hat out of date or shoddy cloth
I ing must continue TO struggle alont
! without favorable notice.
? There is a good demand for furs
2 the prices of which have not, ii IL
: said, been affected by the war al
Y have most other things p~urchasable
Many fine fur sets have recently beer
: sold TO Madison ladies'. Among tn
: recent purchases Of elaborate furs a
local stores is reported a sealskil
Q coat, the cost Of which was in tn
: hundreds.