Evening star., 1919-08-15
SLUMP IN HIGH COST
HITS CITY MARKETS
Substantial Cut in Price of
Fruits and Vegetables All
Down the Line.
WHAT THE DEALERS SAY

Retail prices for produce received a
heavy jolt today. when fresh veg
etables of all kinds skidded sharply.
Due to heavy receipts, according to
some retailers. Washington house.
wives today were able to buy good
sugar corn for 80 cents a dozen. this
being the seasons low mark so far.
Not all stands sold the corn at this
price. but plenty of it of good size and
quality was to be had at so to 35 cents
a dozen. or three ears for 10 cents.
Farmers. however. received approxi-
mately the same prices for the corn
as they did last week, the wholesale
price ranging from $1.15 to $2.25 a
hundred.
Potatoes also broke sharply, the
price dropping to 20 cents a half peck
on many stands. Tomatoes of good
quality were to be had at 10 to Is
cents a quarter peck String beans
were down to 10 and Is cents a quar-
ter peck. the higher priced being quot
ed at 25 cents a half peck. -
Cantaloupes could be had at about
any price one chose to pay. Such as
sold last week at 10 cents each are just
half that price now-5 cents each or
six for quarter. Larger ones sold up
to 10 and Is cents each.
Peaches were more plentiful today
than at any time this summer. the
wholesale price ranging from 81 to $3
a three crate or basket. The quail
ity varied with the price. the higher
priced peaches being rs fine as Syer
come to Washington. California pears
and grapes brought s. box wholesale.
these fruits continuing % rule high.
All other vegetables allowed price de-
carrots, onions, etc. were az low as
three punches for cents. Eggpiants
ranged from 10 to Is cents each. Apples
from nearby orchards were 10 to Is cents
a quarter peck. Cymblings were two for
5 cents.
Not all stands at Center market and
the louisiana avenue market quoted
these prices for vegetables and fruits,
but on a dozen or more of the stands
in the latter market and several in Gen.
ter market ample supplies of the vege-
tables mentioned were displayed at
prices quoted.
Dealers, when questioned, would give
no clear reason for the marked drop in
prices other than that wholesale and
commission house receipts were unusu-
sion men, however. declared no material
reduction had been made in their
prices.
Fine granulated sugar in loose
form should retail at not more than
10h to IL cents a pound in this city,
according to several Of the largest
wholesale and retail stores in the city
handling sugars. Granulated sugar
put up In two-pound packages may
reach a little higher mark, the man
ayers or proprietors Of the stores. say,
but, however, II cents is a fair price
for the package sugar.
Sells Sugar at 10 1-2 Cents.
The local manager Of one Of the
largest chain store concerns in the
city said today that the concerns
local stores now are selling fine
granulated sugar in loose form at
10h cents a pound, and that had been
the price for several weeks. No or
ders had been received to advance the
price to II cents, the manager said
The same, statement was also made
by the manager of another company
operating chain Of stores here.
Some small retailers are now, and
have been for some time, selling fine
granulated sugar in bulk at IL cents
pound, which, it is stated, is the
highest price asked in this city.
According to store managers and
proprietors, sugar refiners have not
advanced prices recently. and advices
from refineries and jobbers are that
ample supplies of sugar are avail
able now and have been for some
time. SO that no rise in retail prices
Is to be anticipated.