It affected different classes of commodities differently.

He also "levied new and unheard-of taxes," to the point that "no class of commodities was exempt from some kind of tax or other."

Jim Rogers, an independent investor in New York who proudly asserts that he has thrived despite not holding a job since 1980, is ragingly bullish about the broad class of commodities.

The paper gave its readers a policy statement: "Its object is to give fully and fairly the daily news attending the fluctuations in prices of stocks, bonds, and some classes of commodities.

Brokers and dealers speculated wildly in all classes of commodities as well, ordering supplies vastly in excess of what was actually needed and even sending shipments to only a general destination, with the end result being that railroad freight cars became stranded in the state, choking the movement of rail traffic.