And now the inevitable results were beginning to appear.

The great steel and coal industries began to curtail their operations, while desperately striving to maintain war prices for their products.

Other industries followed their example.

All the time the cost of living continued to mount.

Foodstuffs reached unheard-of prices, which, under the manipulations of unscrupulous dealers, continued to climb.
Small wonder that working men with high wages and plenty of money in their hands cherished exaggerated ideas of their wealth and developed extravagant tastes in dress, amusements and in standard of living.