PRICES IN AMERICA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 847, 20 June 1910, Page 2

PRICES IN AMERICA.

A COMMISSION'S KEPORT,

The New York 'Tost" of May 3 prints tho following message from its Boston correspondent:—A marked increase in .the world's gold supply and extravagance and waste, public and private, are the principal reasons for the high cost of living, according to the special State commission which has been investigating tho subject for eight weeks. In its report, issued to-day, the commission gives the increased gold supply as the primary cause, and classes as a contributory factor "the enormous waste of income in tho United States, through uneconomic expenditures for war and national armament, and through multiple forms of extravagance, both public and private." • ■ The commission also states that the advance of prices has been further promoted by a complexity of causes operating on the side of supply to reduce tho volume and increase the expenses of production; and, on the sido of demand, to extend and diversify tho consumption of commodities. ' • Ono of the most interesting conclusions is that the tariff, trusts, and trado unions cannot be regarded as direct or active causes of tho recent general advanco of prices. Tho commission suggests the creation of a commission of commerce, and a commission of market improvements; tho transfer of tho State Cattle Bureau iuto a Bureau of Animal Industry; the extension of tho work of State freo employment offices to tho distribution, of immigrants; that packages containing food products should state' tho amount of net. contents in weight units; better inspection of cold-storage plants; and the exextension of the trolley-freight system. Although agreeing that the tariff is not a contributory factor, the commission is of tho opinion that, when tho tariff is further revised, tho expediency of removing the duties on food products should bo carefully considered. In regard to trusts the commission also fools that, while tho trusts cannot bo held responsible for the present conditions, constant vigilance with reference to the action of combinations dealing with the necessities of life is doubly incumbent. The commission expresses the opinion that, the tariff should be taken out of the political arena, and placed on a business basis, as in Germany. The "extension of Canadian reciprocity in tho matter of manufacture" is regarded as inexpedient at tho present time.