The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-09-28
Nashville, Tenn, Sept. %, II.
FIXING PRICES.

The way of the price-maker is a
hard one, whether it is wheat, meat
finished food products or fuel charges
he is adjusting.
Sometime ago commission fixed
the price of wheat produced during
the present year. The adjustment
was reached by a series of COM
promises. The price named repre-
scented a marked increase over the
price usually obtained by the
grower in the piping times of peace.
In establishing a minimum price tho
commission practically established
the price of bread men will eat during
the coming year.
Bread is an important item in the
average family bill of fare. Even
coal miners use bread. The effect of
the first action also was felt in the
matter of meat, because meat cannot
be produced without fodder, and if
fodder prices are to be high, the gov
eminent to increase the meat produc-
tion must necessarily fix a price on
meat that will make it profitable to
feed steers and pigs high-priced
grains.
Even coal miners eat meat. 1t also
is an important item in the average
family's bill of fare. Therefore the
third problem of the price.iXer Is
reached. A price Of fuel has been
fixed The important item of cost in
production of fuel is labor Labor
claims that the cost Of living, the
cost of actual life necessities
has increased to such an extent that
miners must be paid an advance of
from 20 to 80 cents a ton for produc-
ing coal, and a call to a conference
has been issued for September 25,
the purpose of which is ito consider
an increase in wages" The confer
ence will be held in WASHINGTON, at
the convenience of DR.. H. A. Garfield,
federal fuel administrator. The mine
operators are not making the path
easy for the doctor. They have let 1t
be known that they will not oppose
an increase-if the coal rates are in
creased accordingly.
When the price fixing schedule was
first announced, it was predicted by
retailers that no change in the retail
prices would follow, and that coal
laid down mere would cost practically
as much as formerly. 1t was said
that price was not bothering people
so much as deliveries. Those that
have are ready to pay, if only they
have the opportunity. 1t is said now
that a program for distribution has
been worked out between the various
states.
What effect the new disturbance in
the coal situation will have will not
be known until the labor conference
is over. Whatever the effect, the
situation as to food and fuel is a dis
1nrbing one, that must be met with
"A degree of compromise on the part
of labor. Capital and the consumer
No large amount of price reduction
can be looked for from the price
fiXers, because the fixing of prices
is merely relative. If food prices
are increased, the man who eats food
must get a larger compensation to
operate. And if the wages of labor &C
upward, the products of labor ma
turally will cost more The American
dollar is having as difficult day o.
it as the price fixers, and it's just as
we'll not to pitch hopes for higf
wages and low cost of living too high
Mr.. Hoover is not to be considered
in the light of magician. Tit
economic facts are plain and un
changeable. If wheat costs more, tn,
labor in the mills costs more, and tn,
product costs more. 1t is well t.
keep the facts well in mind in measur
ing the distance to be travelled b,
the food administrator. Mr.. Hoove