August 27, 1995
25 Years Ago
EDITORIAL- “DISCOUNT ” PRICES – Housewives cannot but be amazed at the effrontery of the large supermarket chains which have unleashed a rash of display advertising in the daily press during the past several week calling attention to the fact of their prevailing “discount prices” on their merchandise. An inspection of the price tags on most of the articles of greatest purchase reveals anything but “discount prices” as any housewife knows. Prices have been steadily mounting on items of foodstuffs for a long time now, and there seems to be no perceptible slowing down in this escalation. Breakfast foods, shortenings, meats, baked products, grocery items and almost everything on the shelves show evidences of mark-ups from the selling prices of the week before. The jump is only two or three cents at a time, usually, but over a period of weeks the price increase amounts to a whopping percentage. Just where the “discount prices” are evident is not usually stated in these advertisements, for they do not show any comparison of the prices asked currently with those prevailing previously. But what a dollar buys in foodstuffs now compared to what it would buy only a month or so ago causes a feeling of dismay on the part of the food purchaser who must continue to buy on a fixed budget. Call it “inflation” or whatever one wishes, but for common honesty’s sake, don’t call it an exhibition of “discount prices.” This is most certainly is not. Community Reporter, August 2, 1970.
50 Years Ago
Happy Day Coming for Ladies—Nylons – New tires, nylon stockings, new radios. The Government dropped good news about all three into American laps. Government officials were careful not to speak of an end to rationing but they said motorists might get a break on new tires within 90 days. They predicted production might jump 100 per cent in the next three months. That would mean
lot more tires for civilians. OPA officials said they thought they could hold most of the new peacetime goods—when it reaches the stores again—at or near 1942 prices. But they have a fight on their hands. Manufacturers contend that 1945 production costs demand higher than 1942 prices. Nylon stockings may be back in circulation by Thanksgiving, or at least by Christmas. The Government has turned loose its controls on nylon and rayon. It still has a few details to work out about giving permission for making nylon hose. This should come quickly. WPD said 3 1/2 million radios may be on the store shelves by Christmas. This was a surprise. The reason: An 80 per cent cut in military orders for radar and radio. Rent ceilings are expected to disappear soon in certain places. For example: In areas where Army camps close or war plants shut down and people move away. Democratic Advocate, August 24, 1945.
75 Years Ago
During the high water one evening last week a 600-pound bullock belonging to S. I. Mackley attempted to cross the swollen stream and becoming entangled in some wire, supposedly
drowned. Search was made along the banks of the stream for a considerable distance but no trace could be seen and the search was given up. Wednesday evening the animal was found in the field grazing and as inquiry was made among the neighbors, none of whom had seen him, the conclusion has been reached that he was sojourning in the Adirondaks. Union Bridge Pilot, August 27, 1920.
100 Years Ago
Murderers Still at Large – The murderers of Jacob Miller, who was stabbed to the heart at a tramp rendezvous near Melrose, on the night of the 7th instant, are still at large, with very little
prospect of their capture. Detectives Hogan and Kratz, of Baltimore, spent last week looking for the perpetrators of the crime, but without success. They traced the accused parties to New Salem, York county, Pa., where they were seen on Wednesday morning, 14th instant, but where all traces of them were lost, and no clue to their whereabouts has since been discovered. The detectives made their report to that effect to State’s attorney Fink on Saturday last. A minute description is given of one of the murderers, who is a German tramp, known by the name of Otto Frank, sometimes called “Hanover Frank.” He is about forty-five years old, about five feet eight inches in height, stoutly built, full dark beard, red face, left eye blackened by a blow when seen the day after the murder, was dressed in blue overalls, had on a black slouch hat, a brown, black and white striped outing shirt, the brown stripe most prominent, light gray striped pants under overalls, works sometimes at canning house, sometimes with farmers; is well known in the vicinity of Hanover, Pa. The other man is also a German tramp. He is about fifty years of age, medium built, about five feet ten or eleven inches in height, dark mustache and chin whiskers tinged with gray, wore a dark brown coat and brown stiff hat. The County Commissioners of this county have offered a reward of $100 for the arrest and conviction of the two men, or $50 for either of them. American Sentinel, August 24, 1895.