Volume 14 , Issue 50

Factors In The Higher Cost of Living

A hundred years ago today they were talking about the factors in the higher cost of living. They were saying, "Much of the protest at the high cost of living comes from those who are themselves partly responsible for that condition."

As the Elkton Maryland Cecil-Whig enumerates two of the factors that have helped the steady rise in foodstuffs -- the cost of delivery and the cost of wrapping. In the old days the housekeeper went to market with her basket on her arm and carried home her purchases in bulk. Now (1912) she telephones her orders in relays. The delivery wagon was asked to bring her a yeast cake at once and does so.

During the day she may send in a half dozen like orders entailing as many deliveries. Who paid for that service? The market man does not, "unless he is a confirmed idiot or is seeking a quick and certain wind-up of his business." The dealer simply adds service charge to the cost of his goods. The consumer who has created that charge pays for it. The consumer may not object to the charge, but perhaps he does not always realize that it is added into the increased cost of existence.

What foodstuff used to be brought home in a brown paper parcel was delivered in paraffined or sterilized wrappers. The consumer paid for these more expensive wrappers. So here was another item that must be attached tot he long bill. The consumer does not expect to buy soda crackers in an ornamental box at the price he used to pay for them out of the barrel.

Things were done differently, as the Cecil-Whig observes. Butter scooped out of a tub was not liked by the modern consumer, and so he must pay more than "scooped-out-of-a-tub" prices."

Can you imagine your ancestors buying soda crackers out of a barrel or scooping their butter out of a tub? That was before this sixty-four year old's memories.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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