The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-07-26

1875 lZZ.O I'LL
I926-1929 Avg. 1893 1910
July, 1871, living costs are still
10 per cent below June, 1929. costs
while wages are 10 per cent high
err
August, 1889 99,6 1908
April, f9~4i1Q2 1895
July Is, 1871 1850 Est. lilo Est.
This table shows that although
there has been an increase in Cana
dian prices of about 10 per cent
since the War began, there has been
an increase In U. S. prices of only
about 5 per cent. This increase has
been almost wholly In foodstuffs
and that largely in cities. Agricul
tural communities, in which so per
cent OF u people live. have seen
no average increase. In fact, the only
portions really suffering are the
defense areas and their increases
have been more than offset by wage
increases.
A study OF the Canadian figures
also shows that. in Canada there
has recently been a decided slow
ing down in the rate OF increase. II
is very probable that the rise In
U. S. prices will. likewise, slow
down after the present excitement
is over and farm prices reach par
ity.
What About Rents?
The cost OF building has gone up
nine per cent v a year ago: but
10 per cent of this increase went
to labor and taxes, not to material
costs, This means that-with tho
exception OF the defense areas
where rents will be pegged-there
will be rent increases. Most land
lords during the past ten years
have barely got enough rent to pay
taxes, insurance, and repairs, leav-
ing almost nothing for interest or
for themselves. They are entitled
TO a break"
There also will be increases in
metal goods, including toys for the
children as we'll as automobiles,
both new and used cars. Clothing
will increase some until the prices
Of cotton and wool reach parity.
But these increases are not due to
the war. nor to the manufacturers.
These increases are due to artifi-
cially controlled prices for cotton
and other agricultural products
forced upon us by southern and
western politicians. This is not say.
ing that THE cotton, wool, grain,
and fruit growers are not entitled
to more than they have been get
ting; but let us not blame the war
or initiation for such increases. The
eight per cent rise in food prices,
the l per cent rise in clothing, and
the five per cent rise in coal this
July compared with July, 1910, are
due to politics.
Use Sense Buying
The honest answer to this entire
cost OF living question Is this: II
we insist upon having the same
things in the same amounts as be-
fore September. 1889, then our cost
Of living will go up considerably. II,
however, we WILDE satisfied with
certain substitutes which are nearly
as good and perhaps healthier and
will cut out waste, we have nothing
yet to fear. or course. in saying this
assume our politicians will not
foolishly' start to print fake money
| also assume installment buying is
to be curbed. The present figure oil
$4,000, 000, 900 tied up in installment
credit is too high.
During World War /. the women
Of my family spent more time darn.
ing socks and mending clothes and
less time playing bridge. We had
more pot roasts and fewer sirloin
steaks. | cut out golf and had a
good vegetable garden for exercise
instead. We saved on gasoline and
waited until after war prices be-
came normal again before buying a