The Clay City times. [volume] (Clay City, Ky.) 1901-current, 1917-01-11
The Long and Short Of Ii.


Times Jan. |, 1896, and fixed the sub
scrpton at SO cents per year. We did
this because we thought il then harmon
lied with the prices Of other articles.
Then, as now. Is per cent Of our sub
scnbers were farmers, and we fixed the
price reasonable so they could afford to
pay for it.
For instance they then sold their corn
for $500 per barrel; they now sell it for
$500. They then sold hogs for 4 cents
per pound; they now sell them tor 8.
They then sold their cattle at 3 cents per
pound; they now sell them at e and 7.
They then sold their wheat for 90 cents
per bushel; they now sell it at $3.50.
They then sold their butter at 20 cents
per pound; they now sell or can sell the
butter in their cream at 40 cents per
pound. They then sold old hens at 5
cents per pound; they now bring 70
cents; old roosters now bring 8 cents
whereas they then were sold at 2 cents
They then sold eggs at II cents; they
now sell for SO. They then sold turkeys
for 5 cents per pound; they sell them now
for 70.
The Times then sold for 50 cents
Then why not sell it now for sl1 If
the farmer could afford to pay 50 cents
for it then, why can he not pay one dol
lar for it nowp He sells his Stuff for two,
three, and often four times as much now
as he did in times past Then why not
the editor get twice as much for his
produdp
On the other hand, the farmer can
plow and produce as much corn today as
twenty years ago; he can raise as many
hogs, as many cattle. as much poultry
and other products today as twenty years
ago with the same effort. No increase
Of cost whatever except in cases where
hired labor is used to produce his crops.
Or he can rent his land for as great
portion Of the crop today as twenty years
ago. No increase Of cost whatever,
though he sells his stuff for from two to
four times as much.
Let's see about your local paper
Twenty years ago We could buy paper
at $2.25 per hundred pounds and ink at
4 cents per pound Now this same pa
per costs $500 per hundred pounds and
ink II cents per pound. Over three
times as much. Printers wages have
doubled. So, by doubling our price we
still are getting less profit than twenty
years ago, while the farmer gets from two
to four times as much for the products Of
his labor at no increase Of cost Of pro-
duclion.
If the local paper is not jushhable in
doubling its rate, where is there case
Of increase jushhablep There would be
just as much reason in a buyer refusing to
take your hogs today at 8 cents because
YOU sold them at 4 cents twenty years
ago. as there is today in refusing to take
the Times at 81 because we sold it at
50 cents twenty years ago, and twice
as unreasonable because It does not cost
any more to raise the hogs and it costs us
more than twice as much to produce the
Times.
II is true thai all farming implements
have advanced 80 per cent during this !
20 years but il is equally true that print
ing machinery and type has advanced
not only 80 per cent. but more than Is |
per cent.
We have cause both "a comm and
soin'' for raising our subscription price.
and the reader has no grounds to refuse
to take il on the claim OF exorbiiant rates.
You have perfect night to discontinue
The paper any dme you wish. and we
gladly comply with your request, but no