Show ECONOMIC highlights prices continue to rise during the tha first hall half of this year according lo 10 0 a business week survey wholesale prices were 9 per cent higher than in 1936 raw materials were up tip 14 per cent farm products cost 18 per cent more food increased 6 per cent the general cost ot of living was vas 5 per cent greater one of the tew few manufactured articles whose price had not been generally advanced was t the he automobile nj car makers always dread a price prica increase because they think it will result in a large number of motorists driving their old cars a few months longer and so reduce sales and the business Is so highly competitive today especially in the GOO 1000 price field that every maker is loth to take the step and charge more for his cars A short time ago however definite signs appeared that the motor industry Is at last tailing falling in line with the general upward price trend ford announced price increases of from 15 to 35 on his line of cars general motors followed suit almost immediately with increase starting at 35 in the low priced chevrolet and ranging to noo on the relatively high priced price cadillac A number of chrysler cars likewise were given galven higher price tags it Is believed that the entire industry will soon tall fall in line from necessity with this policy though some makers may inay deter defer price boosts until the 1938 models come out this fall even so it Is doubtful if the entire additional expense la in manufacturing fac turing operations experienced by motor makers this year caused ty higher material and labor prices will be passed on to the public chances are that around halt half of the increase will be added to the selling price of the cars and the rest ab sobbed by the companies which will then show a smaller profit proult per unit and will depend on great sales higher ear car prices are ot of importance as a sign of the times in the last two years there have b been een steady continuous increases in the cost ot of practically everything with the exception ot of the rates ot of certain service industries big worry to businessmen is whether the public will accept higher prices with equanimity in a few lines such as meats meals higher prices have resulted in decreased sales however most businesses have no choice in tho the matter opera operating fing expenses have risen sc materially that thai it is necessary to consistently raise prices to avoid losses |