The Lowest Level Of Prices

The complete review of different branches of business given today places in a clear light the faut that prices of commodities are at the lowest level ever'known. Eight years ago, in July, prices averaged only 73.69 per cent. of the prices for the same articles and in the same markets January 1, 1860, and this remained the lowest point ever touched until August 10, 1893, when the average feil to 72.76, but early this year'prices dropped belovv all previous records and have never recovered, the average December 26 being only 68.73 per cent. of the prices in 1860. The range was very little higher at the end of the year, and aboutas lowas October 25. The fall since a year ago has been öi per cent., but very unequal in different branches. In iron and steel products 14 per cent., in wool 13.4 per cent., in woolens and cottons about 15 per cent. These changes contrast sharply with the decline of wages paid per hour's work, which, as was shown last week, average only 1-2 perj'cent. less than a year