Evening star., 1939-09-06
Food Prices
Going Up Here
Because Of War
Meat Soaring by
Leaps and Bounds;
Sugar, Flour Rise

War In Europe, 1000 miles away,
began making itself felt in every
walk of life in Washington today
as fears of skyrocketing food prices
caused turmoil in local markets.
Some stores reported run on sugar
and flour, two commodities already
advancing in price.
So disturbed were market condi-
tions in this country because of the
war abroad that distributors here
could obtain no prices on sugar
from the refiners. The price has
already advanced a cent a pound
from last weeks quotations.
Flour was up 81 a barrel, making
the new price ST.
Wholesale meat prices are ad-
vancing by "leaps and bounds" in
Washington as a result of the out
break of war, according to T. T.
Keane, president of the Southern
Hotel Supply Co. Other distributors
confirmed the increase.
Some of the Increases.
As evidence of the upward swing,
Mr.. Keane cited the following ad-
vances, which, he said, have occurred
within the last 10 days:
Lamb, up from l612 to 221a cents;
pork loin, 161a to %; short loin,
advanced 10; calves, up to cents.
The quotations for prime cuts shows
a 10-cent advance on loins and a
Scent rise on ribs. Even the
quotations for coarse meats have
jumped, Mr.. Keane said.
"The changes are coming so fast
that we find it difficult to keep up
to them" Mr. Keane said.
I'm citing these increases because
Iwant the public to know that we're
not trying to shove prices out of
sight" he added.
Liquor dealers, too, warned of in
creasing prices on imported bever-
ages, especially Scotch, wines and
liquors, as the outbreak of war
caught importers in this country
short on stock. One Washington
wholesale firm has already increased
the price Of Scotch 81 a case, al
though first giving retail dealers an
opportunity to order yesterday at
the old price.
At stores reporting heavy pur-
chases of sugar and flour it was
said that customers instead of buy
ing in the usual lots of 10 or Is
pounds of sugar were asking for so
or 100 pounds. Most stores were
filling the orders, but one merchant
said he would decline to sell sugar
in heavy lots owing to the disturbed
market conditions.
Depleted stocks, indicated by
empty shelves, bore testimony to
the heavy buying in many stores
here during the last few days. While
some Of the unusual purchases were
attributed to war fears, it was point
ed out that part of the sales could
be attributed to the Labor Day and
week end. Stores were closed from
Saturday to Tuesday and housewives
would naturally find need for heav-
Ter buying Tuesday, it was said.
All stores emphasized there was
no shortage of any food commodity
here.
Calling attention to probable in
creased liquor prices in the next 80
days, John A. Norman, president of
Independent Distribution, Inc, said
stocks of many imported liquors in
this country are already low, owing
to. the demand for Scotch and
foreign wines.
Liquor Prices to Rise.
Mr.. Norman said the price will
increase on foreign liquors owing to
probable higher costs of produc-
ton during war times and added in
surance and freight charges in
transporting to this country.
Mr.. Norman said that while the
price here has not been generally
advanced most firms have discon-
tinued giving discounts on pur-
chases.
Another wholesale firm, however,
reported an increase in the price OF
Scotch, effective at pm. yesterday,
Of 81 a case. This firm gave its
customers an opportunity to place
orders yesterday at the old price.
The increase is expected daily on
Scotch whiskies, French wines and
German importations. However,
owing to Italy's position of neu-
trality, distributors are of the opin-
ion there will be no change in the
price of Italian wines and vermouth.
Retailers have not yet advanced
their prices. A number of dealers
said they did not intend to do so
until their stocks bought at low
prices are depleted. I'VE have no
desire to profiteer," one dealer COM
mented. THAT is what the Presi-
dent asked the country not to do"