The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-20
WHOLESALERS ARE UNCERTA|NOF FOOD
 PRICES IN FUTURE
Some Believe Actual War . Will Send Prices Still Higher Than at
 Present
By JOHN c. MOSES


 The question of supply in the whole. one. The wholesale merchants are very reluctant to express themselves on any thing relating to the future supply ol price changes. They merely shrug theil shoulders and ask that they be not quot ed on the subject Quite number were approached yesterday and asked as tc the future outlook.
 'If war should come,' stated one mer- chant, 'ft is more than likely prices will soar still higher. There is no relief ir sight until the new crop gets on the mar ket This years crop is getting off badly and will necessarily be delayed some If war should be declared by this coun- try, it is my opinion foodstuff and feed stuff will go upward in price,"
 Another grain and feed merchant stat ed the feed situation had reached a point where some grades and kinds were al most without the reach of the ordinary owners of animals. Stock as a conSe- quence was suffering more or less, ant would be relieved only by the spring grass, which is backward, owing to the numerous cold snaps.
 Irish potatoes and onions have botf uTOPptQ SlSntly LfuS Wcch III pliCC- " tatoes are off about $1 bag and onions about $1 .25. The reason for this is un- doubtedly too much holding over by those who have evidently had these commodi- ties ''cornered' The Texas crop oi onions is due shortly, and with the ap- pearance of this crop the bottom will fall out of the stock now on hand. This Texas crop is rather late, owing to the recent freeze, which went through the whole south.
 The Standard Fish company reports fish and oysters as scarce, but not much advanced as to price. They put the blame for shortage on the rough weather alons the coast. Demand Is heavy now, and both fish and oysters will be scarce unti after Lent.
 | Poultry of all kinds is getting scarce owing to the fact that all hens are now layin. Farmers will hold their ole stock until in the early summer. Broil- CTS and flyers are scarce and none II sight before spring matches are matured This will make the price on both broiler: and flyers high until along in May. Tht month of April is always the best montf for the raisers of fowls who have early birds to market.
 Cotton jumped locally one-half cent 1T all grades yesterday, and 1t now looks as if the Decent mark will be reached be- fore the end of the month The world needs it, and the farmers are holding on to a great deal of it, hoping to get the top price. Cotton acreage will not be as large as some spectators are predicting, with the hope of forcing what cotton is now being held into the open market.
 Regardless of what the opinions and guarded statements of the wholesalers may be, the consuming public is paying more and getting less for their money than in many years. It Is hard propo- sition to the average family to make both ends meet Wages have not been ad- vanced as a general thing, and with prices from 25 to 40 per cent higher, il is a hard problem to work out.
 A great many of the retail merchants are helping to solve the high cost of living by marking down prices as closely as possible for Saturday, and advertise same in the Saturday morning Age-Her- aid. The consumer appreciates this, anc becomes more and more interested each week. And The Age Herald is more thar willing to do it's part in calling attention to it's thousands of readers to the fact that the retailers are helping to lighter the family load with these weekend sales