Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 503, 22 January 1902 — PRICES ARE HIGH. [ARTICLE]

PRICES ARE HIGH.

Values of commodities are generally higher now than they have been for some time past and indications are for a further upward tendency. Wheat has reached the highest point since 1898; corn and oats are higher than for almost a decade, and other produce has sympathized. Food products, as a whole, are higher than in the general price boom of 1900, while manufactures are lower, notable in this respect being leather, textiles, coal and coke, naval stores, building materials, chemicals ad drugs and miscellaneous products. If other products follow the lead of food products, as is not unusual, a further advance of the former is not unlikely. Iron and steel prices seem to lead in this latter-day advance, but the other metals have broken away from them and copper. lead and tin are weakening, the result of failures of injudicious attempts at controlling production. Food products, largely imported, like coffee and sugar, have reached the low water mark prices on large production.