The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-21
Wholesale GrOcers Announce
Big Cut in Prices Due.
Lumber and Wool Markets Fol-
low Downward Trend
DROP Will NOT
Be SUDDEN ONE
Demand Maintains High Prices
in Many Localities.
Continuation of Buyers Strike
Advised by Official.
PATRIOTISM NOT THE CAUSE
People, Not Courts, Forced
Break-PaImer's Assistant.
England, Hearing of U. S. Vic
tory, Sees No Joy in 1t.
Continuation of Buyers Strike
Advised by Official.
PATRIOTISM NOT THE CAUSE
People, Not Courts, Forced
Break-PaImer's Assistant.
England, Hearing of U. S. Vic
tory, Sees No Joy in 1t.
(By the United Press)


Gradual decrease in food prices
thruout the country was in prospect
today, according to opinions expressed
by wholesale grocers, economists and
other experts in touch with the situa-
tion.
Reports showed that in some sec
tions of the country the trend toward
lower prices on food has already been
noticeable.
Altho no sudden drop in the food
products market, such as marked the
clothing and other merchandise mar
kets during the last week, were looked
for, the opinion was that the market
must slump eventually.
Clearing up of the freight conges-
tion, already under way under orders
of the interstate commerce commits
sion, will go a long ways toward
clearing the road for a decrease in
food prices. experts believed.
Generally lower prices for foods
was reported today in Connecticut by
the agricultural market service
Prices of meat, butter and even sugar
were reported lower in Boston.
No change was reported in the
market prices of foods in New York
Chicago or the west. However. gro
GERS generally said they were plan
ming for a drop.
Sears, Roebuck & Company, large
dealers in foodstuffs, were compiling
their autumn prices and announced
they would be lower.
Flour prices were down in Mime
apolis, the milling center of the coun-
try.
The decentralization of the wool mar
ket was shown in the auction of wool
by the British government at Boston
Purchasers were found for only 5000
bales of the best grades. at a quota
tion l per cent below the former pre-
vailing price.
Big Cuts in Food Next.
Chicago. May 21.-Decreases In
food prices were predicted here today
by wholesale grocers, as reports from
the middle west and west showed fur
ther declines in the cost of living.
There have been no decreases In
grocery prices as yet, wholesalers de-
clared. but they say it is bound tc
COIlG
Packers say meat prices are de-
creasing steadily.
According to Swift & Company
there has been per cent decrease
in the price of the principal meats
These include sirloin and round steaks
rib roasts, pork chops and ham.
Henry Sprague, head of Sprague
Warner & Company. said Wholesale
grocers prices would fall soon. He
predicted the tumbling of grocery
values when banks begin to call the
loans of food spectators. Severa
million tons of sugar are being held ir
chicago for speculation, according tc
federal investigators.
Sears, Roebuck & Company, largest
mail order house in the world. SAY
there has been no change in present
prices.
I'VE prepare our prices six month.
in advance" said one of their official:
prices for this fall They will bt
lower.
Prices have been too high" he said
In commenting on the situation.
Goods which he declared would bt
lower this fall will include clothins
and furniture.
Sprague said the present price cut.
ting is a real thing"
other wholesalers here said it woult
be week before they would be in a
position to make any statement or
prices.
No Patriotism in 1t.
Washington. May 21.-The wave ri
price reductions in wearing appare
which has spread to every Important
CITY IS due largely to public with
drawal from the market and To tbe
investigation conducted by the de.
partment of justice in the opinion Of
Assistant Attorney General Garyan
While he said he did not believe the
department deserved too much
credit" Mr.. Garyan refused tn sndorsx
the claims of merchants that theS
were actuated solely by patriotic
motives.
That stuff is purest buncombe. >
MT Garvan said. There are three
Things responsible for this clamor Of