The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-09-16
Why the Price was Raised :
lacrosse, Wash, Clipper)

tAoSAoSoS, W ASH, Ollpp6r)
A friend, in a jocular mood, asked
as TO give our reasons for raising the
subscription price Of the Clipper from
sI.50 to $500. Here are few of
them:
Four years ago when we raised the
price from $1OO to $3.50 we could
buy newsprint at cents a pound. The
other day, in spite of the fact we have
enough on hand to run US for six
months or more, we bought a future
order at 13 cents a pound. We must
pay spot cash, store the stock until
we need it in order to protect our
selves against another raise in the
market that is sure to come before
our old stock is exhausted. If we
waited until we need more newsprint
the chances are we would pay Is
cents or possibly more. If you don't
believe the country editor is getting
his these days, we will sell you the
Clipper and let you gather a little
II. G. L. experience Of your own.
-Four years ago we "hired printers
for SIS and $50 week. Today they
are employed at SAP a week.
Four years ago the wife bought her
shoes for $500 and $500 a pair, but
today she pays from $3.50 to $500
when she buys 'em.
Four years ago we bought our
stogies for nickel. Today they cost
a dime and the smudge is just as of
fensive to the sensitive notril as ever.
Four years ago Lizzie was fed per-
fectly good gas at Is cents per. To-
day the price has gone up and the
quality gone down until now we pay
30 cents gallon when we can get
it, and the aroma is a cross between
Disguised polecat and an overdose
of asofoetida.
Four years ago we could buy loaf
of bread for nickel. Today we buy
a smaller loaf for Is cents.
Four years ago Uncle Sam let US
keep what we had left after the bills
were paid. Today he helps himself
to part of the balance to help pay for
putting the kaiser in cold storage.
Four years ago we could buy re-
spectacle meal for 35 cents Today
all you get for that sum is "cheap
skate" glare from the waiter If you
want a full meal, leave your jewelry
with the cashier as security. Maybe
,1oY, con roGaopo ~ afto,- 1zor1 rro+ .yo,7r
check and maybe not. Chances are,
not.
Four years ago we could get our
locks trimmed for quarter. Today
is twice as much.
Four years ago we paid our state,
county, school, and other taxes as a
matter of course. Today it is a mat
ter of curse; an operation in which
the patient is relieved of everything
but his citizenship.
Four years ago we saw the movies
for dime. Today they are quarter
on bargain day.
Four years ago a dollar quite fire.
quently got warm in our pocket. To,
day it travels on a no-stop schedule
It doesn't ever hnger long enough
with us to take water. We are not
even flag station on that dollars
route.
Four years ago we bought eggs fol
two-bits a dozen. Last winter we haC
~ Sapd tho CI;D,oa- o,,o,. o;o-L+ ,oo,,4L.
to buy the result of one days toll OF
twelve hens.
Four years ago our plant had g
value of 100000. Today the replace
ment value would be double thai
amount if we had the money.
Four years ago "drives" were prac
tically unknown. During the last few
years we have known nothing else.
Four years ago one could accum
ulate the morning-after effects for {
few dollars. Today you have to LEI
your store bills go for six months
learn a secret code and carry magni
flying glass to acquire a Suspicion
smell on your breath. The water wa
gon is our favorite vehicle as it cost
less to travel that way than any other
Four years ago we had not beel
introduced to Europe. From the ex
pense account the last few years, w
must have married her while deIirious
There are other reasons too numer
Gus to mention, as we say on the sal
bills, and we told our friend so. H
said ne would wait until the pric
went up, as he didn't have the hear
to pay less than $2.5O.-Publisher
Auxiliary.
The Big Kansas Crops
According TO the Monthly Crop RI