Norwich bulletin., 1919-08-23
SIGNS OF LOWERED LIVING
 COSTS.

Today the country is concerned with the high cost of living, the running down of the proffteers and the strikes tbat are based upon advanced living costs. Naturally the country wonders when all this will stop, how it will be overcome and where the end will be.
 In answer to one of the questions asked of him by Senator Fall Presi- dent Wilson declares it to be his ''cenfdent opinion that the immediate adoption of the treaty along with the articles of the covenant of the league as written would certainly within the near future reduce the cost of living in this country as elsewhere by re- storing production and commerce to their normal strength and freedom" President Wilson we'll understands what sort of an impression he intends this to create and is laying the founda ton for the claim later on of 'I told you so."
 But it can hardly be maintained that the reduction in the cost Of liv- ing depends upon this treaty or the league contained therein On the other hand there are already evidences that the end had been about reached to increased costs in foodstuffs.
 We know full we'll what effect the great amount of exports has had upon the prices at home and it is to be noted that expectations are falling off. We had the smallest amount of exports in July even though the amount was not small, that we have had in five months and the reduction in this business means an increased supply for domestic consumption and big supplies are invariably followed by decreased costs.
 Expectations are dropping for differ T.- a very low rate with the pound sterl- ing down to around s41e and even correspondingiy lower in the case of other countries. This means that foreign buyers must make up that difference when they buy our goods so it becomes evident that the de- mands on the country are being limit cd to vital needs They are buying only what they actually require to keep down the expense.
 On the other hand 1t is to be noted that Louis Vannorman who has been making study of commercial af- fairs in southeastern Europe reports that in Rumania. which is normally an exporter of foodstuffs. things are rapidly returning to normal this years cereal crop being almost suf1i icfent 10 supply the country's needs" while it was reported only the other day that Belgium in this respect was showing marked improvement. These are countries to which certain amount of our foodstuffs have been going. France it is said is over stocked and not buying at present. In line with these indications comes the report that the high cost of food issdue for a drop within a few days, Chicago exporters of foodstuffs de- clare as the result of the 80 per cent decline in foodstuff exports during the past ten days"
 Thus it becomes evident. after a long pull. that better conditions are looming up on the horizon. The world is recovering from the effects of .he war and this country like others is going to experience relief from it. We have reached the turning point and unless we are greatly mistaken it is not going to be the treaty or the league of nations that will be responsible for the drop in the cost of living. for as it is with food so must it be with other things.