Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-06-01
Indications Point
to Lower Prices

While prices are at the highest
level in years and seem to be going
up weekly, it is freely predicted that
in the next few months there will be
a material drop due to many reasons,
principal among which, of course, is
the fact that congress is expected to
enact the measure which gives Presi-
dent Wilson absolute control
There are other contributing causes,
however, which will bring about a
lower level. All factors are realizing
that prices are entirely out of pro-
portion and that a reaction must take
place. Another thing that will help
| in this direction is the closer affilia
ton of the United States, England,
France and Russia in purchasing sup
plies. With competition in bidding
eliminated, there will not be the de.
mand from so many sources. The
concentration of purchases in the
hands of committee acting for all
the governments W i C h is being
strongly agitated, will eliminate lot
of the speculation that has been in
dulged in, as such a procedure will
eliminate speculative opportunities.
In addition to this, where laws OF
the various countries interfere they
will be modified in order that each
country will help the other, as all
fully realize that the dollar buys
comparatively little under present in
tlated prices. A move in this direc
ton is already under way with Can,
ada.
Another factor that enters into the
proposition is the tremendous crop
that is expected. Everybody that has
spare ground has planted something
That will curtail the demand to an
extent. In addition, farmers have in
creased their acreage and a greater
yield is anticipated. Moreover, the
consumers have become less waste
full, as everywhere the garbage col
lection agencies are reporting a very
large decrease in garbage. Aside
from this, the housewives are actu
ally practicing economy and are
preaching everywhere through their
respective organizations.
The big crops expected should pro
duce flood of food of all kinds and
with the government handling the
distribution and limiting prices, the
trade can expect considerably lower
prices than those now prevailing
Aside from that, the government
prosecutors are busy everywhere and
whether any prosecutions of the
spectators result or not, the fear Of
it should have deterrent effect or
those who have been responsible fol
forcing up the costs.
Then, again, the influential men oil
affairs are approaching that prices
have reached their limits for the
safety of their business and those de
pendent upon them; consequently
they are beginning to put the dam
per on the unheard-of prices, and are
advocating and agitating a lower ba
sis. Cooperating in that direction
are the big associations in all lines
such as the National Wholesale Gro
GERS association, the National Can
ners' association, and even the con
lrOlilnS ldClols aiming lHe gram eA
changes.
This does not mean, of course, that
prices generally will recede to the
level which prevailed prior to the ad
vances which began last fall, since
there are legitimate increases in
costs of practically all raw products
as well as labor but the fictitious
values will be almost entirely elm
mated. In other words, business in
all lines will get back to a saner ba
sis where water" will play an insig
nificant part.