The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-22
STILL GOING UP.

4 STILL GOING UP.
Just who is inspiring them we ar,
unable to say. but the public Is FED
up by stories in the newspapers Of
numerous sensational advances In
prices which are soon to occur
That shoes will undergo a big In.
crease is persistently bruited. And
every surface indication seems tc
confirm the rumors. Unless some
thing is done to prevent--and moth
ing seems likely--the people are in
for a robbery in the prices OF foot
wear that approaches the limit OF
human endurance.
No reason is given for the threat
ened advance. The fact apparently
is thought to be all that Is necessary
for ms 10 know, There are plenty OF
hides in the country-more than ever
before. A survey conducted by the
bureau of markets a little more than
two months ago showed the following
results:
"The principal stock in the United
States on April 80 were; Cattle hides,
domestic. 4.0s0.7S5. foreign 92s.226;
sheep and lamb skins. domestic, 81
sss.sB1. foreign, 5,316,6o0; pig and hog
skins. 135.7S4 pieces, and 1,451,0
pounds in strips; horse hides, whole.
s5.b4s, fronts. $4,000. butts. 1888.
shanks 7s.115; calf and kid skins,
domestic 1.47s.1ss. foreign 4s5.96o;
kangaroo and wallaby skins, 5o6,S0s;
deer and elk skins. 155,o16; goat
skins. domestic 2.561,24s. foreign o.
415.s1s; kid skins. domestic. 1o5,s74.
foreign. b2S,5os: cabretta. domestic,
2es, 1855, foreign. 1,222,o64; and buffalo
hides. 1887"
Very much the same sort OF situa-
ton confronts the consumers Of
meats. The supply Of meat animals
particularly cattle--is greater than
usual. In fact, there has been a per-
ceptible decline In prices paid to the
growers. But there has not only been
no lowering Of the prices OF meat.
but an advance within the last few
months Is noticeable. It Is strongly
suspected in some quarters that meat
and footwear prices are directly and
indirectly traceable TO the same
source--and the same interests. Dis
cussIng the situation few days ago,
the Memphis News scimiter declared,
a.~nn- nthar tht,agg.
"Meat is the standard food Of
Americans, but meat. thanks to the
trust. has gone beyond the reach of
the average II nily, and may not be
had. When they seek frumentaceous
or farinaceous food they find their
government has fixed the price be-
yond reason for the home product
and raised up tariff barriers against
its importation from other countries.
We cannot expect to be miraculously
fed as were the Hebrews during the
exodus. In the big cities, where pop
ulation is congested, the food question
is not merely serious, 1t is tragic"
other similar expressions regard
ing the governments handling OF the
wheat crop--which Is referred to in
the foregoing paragraph-have been
noted. There is considerable dissat-
isfaction. Others can cite the govern
ment precedent in justification Of
their exactions. Only yesterday It
was announced in the dispatches that
the prices paid for wheat by the mills
must at least be equal to the govern
ment guarantee and that. as means
to the enforcement Of the order, I'M
portation OF wheat will not be per-
mitted. Wheat could be brought
from Canada, Argentina and Austria
liza, SO 1t is claimed. for considerably
less than the price guaranteed in the
United States.
1t has been insisted by many that
It would be altogether fair all around
II the government would allow the
wheat market to seek its natural
level and then reimburse the Erow-
ers for the difference between the
market and the guaranteed price.
This course would probably cost
the government considerable, but 1t
would give the people cheaper bread
and the moral Of the example might
helm to prevent robbery in other d.
rections.
The government could all the
more consistently Ego after" those
who are clearly filching from the peo-
pie. The people are naturally be-
coming FESTIVE under the exploitation
and inquiring where and when 1t is
all going to stop.
The News -Scimitar thinks If the
people could get to the land they
could make their own living, but I'M
fortunately, many of them cannot DO
this. AS that paper states. however,
it is a cinch that they cannot be FED
with mamma from the air. They Will
have to obtain food from others so
long as they are able to buy 1t. After
that we presume they will have to
starve.
ECONOMIC REASONS.