The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-25
Increased Cost of lee Cream
Here Before Hot Days.
FLOUR IS GOING UP-UP-UP!
Other Necessities Continue To
Climb, Dealers Say.
Little To Indicate That There'II
Be Declines.

A general upward trend in the price
of foodstuffs, ranging from ice cream
to flour, lis noticeable in Topeka this
spring. The coming of warm weather,
which usually brings lower prices in
all lines of edibles, seems to have little
effect on the market this year. Flour
has taken three or four small ad-
vances within the last few weeks and
the prospects are that it will go still
higher.
The advances are explained by gro
GERS and millers as being due to the
scarcity of wheat in the milling CEN
ters. Wheat is now selling in Kansas
City $3.50 and $2.70 a bushel, or from
35 to 40 cents higher than the govern
ment's guaranteed price. Only the
coming of harvest time may bring a
small and temporary decline in the
| price of wheat and consequently of
flour, merchants believe.
Ice Cream Is Higher.
Persons who indulge in ice cream
| this summer will pay more for it than
| ever before. Manufacturers announce
an advance of 5 cents a quart, altho
| the price on gallons has not yet been
| raised. Ha4f gallons have advanced
a nickel or from rs to 80 cents. Brick
cream in plain eolors sells for 55 cents
| two colorS go cents, and three colorS
| rs cents. This advance, manufacture
| ers say, is due to the increased price
say is now costing them So a gallon.
Sherbets are now selling at the same
price as ice cream.
l. The vegetarian will have it con-
the meat eater this summer in the
matter of economy. Local packers
extend no hope of relief in the price
of pork and intimate even higher
prices in the near future. Beef is
resting on a solid foundation, with
prospects of a slight advance until
in dax
this fall, when grass cattle begin to
come into the market, there may be
some temporary relief, packers say.
Wholesalers attribute the general
condition of the country. Canned
fruits and vegetables remain high and
even the bringing in of the new packs
this fall will not relieve the market
merchants believe. The California
fruit Gamers, who by this time usually
have their quotations in the hands OF
their customers, are holding off this
year awaiting the development of the
European situation. In the event that
the peace treaty is signed, the Gamers
look for a huge export demand, which
will have a itendency to soar the prices
of canned goods to a still higher level
it is explained
Fruits Higher Than in 1918.
Fruits are now really higher than
last year and few items in canned
grocers do not look for any decline or
either article.
The price of eggs next winter, pres
ent conditions indicate. will be tout
of sight" Eggs are now going into
storage at $11.60 and $11.70 a case
which is bound to make them ex-
tremely high next year, storage mer
declare. Butter remains high and is
likely to continue high thruout the
summer, with the possible exception
| slight decline
of May, June and July. This decline
probably will not exceed or cents
The government is still regulating
the price of sugar in the respect tina
wholesalers are not allowed to make
more than a pre-war profit. Sugar i:
now selling at from to 10 cents &
pound, with little prospect of advance
The market on fresh fruits, such a:
oranges, benanas and lemons, remain.
high but firm. Flour is now selling a
from $3.45 to $3.50 for forty-eigh
pounds and is costing grocers 1910 a
| the mills.