The Washington herald., 1910-02-01
SEARCHLIGHT ON PRICES
IN NATIONAL CAPITAL

The Moore special committee, at yester-
days hearing. turned the searchiight OF
inquiry on the high-price situation In this
city with astonishing results.
All the testimony tended TO show that
the retail grocers OF this city have a
most effective organization. Of which the
local bakers, commission merchants, and
other wholesalers, and even some great
national manufacturers OF foodstuffs,
stand in absolute fear.
Guild Now Defunct.
The facts along this line we're elected
! By members Of the committee during the
examination Of Amos Tyree, secretary,
/ and Dr. NJ. J. Holmes, assistant secretary
/ Of the defunct Department Cooperative
Guild. incorporated under the laws OF
| Delaware for the purpose Of purchasing
the necessities Of life at wholesale and
retailing them to employees Of the govern
ment in Washington at an average rate"
| the profits on sales 70 be distributed pro
rata every four months to stockholders Of
/ the guild, ell of them government clerks.
/ The guild Il was testified by Messrs.
/ Tyree and Holmes. went into the hands
| Of a receiver as result OF a number OF
Icontributory causes, chief among which
la boycott by the wholesalers of the Dis
! trfct forced by the retail grocers-
The members Of the committee opened
/ their eyes when they heard how one CT
the big bakers after another, when
threatened by the Retail Grocers' Asso-
citation. refused TO deliver bread TO the
guild, and finally even refused TO sell
bread to employees OF the guild "over the
counter"
The Corby Baking Company, the
Charles Schneider Baking Company, the
Havenner Baking Company, and the Beh-
rens Baking Company were mentioned
by officers OF the defunct organization
as having treated the guild in this way.
Concerns Entered Plea.
The head men of some of these concerns
pleaded" with the guild. so Tyree and
Holmes testified, that the guild not insist
on buying bread from them, as 1t would
mean ruin to them (the bakers) If they
persisted IN running contrary 10 the
wishes Of the retail grocers. One Of the
Corbys told the guild, it was testified.
that his business had been cut from one
third 10 two-thirds. because he had sold
to the guild. and that If he didn't stop
he would be put out Of business.
II was the same way, too, Holmes and
/ Tyree said, with butter and other things.
The Ran Camp Packing COmpany's rep
resentative in Washington Cancelled an
order given by the guild when ordered
to do 50 by the Retail Grocers' Associa-
ton OF the District.
Here IS one of the most interesting
facts developed at the hearing: The bees
trust. the sugar trust and the National
Biscuit Company better known as the
cracker trust. sold 20 the guild right
along at regular wholesale rates and told
the retail grocers to mind their own
business when that association COM
planned. The testimony Of Holmes and
Tyree showed that these three Dig
trusts" simply laughed at the threats OF
the little trusts"
The testimony yesterday was the most
interesting Of any that has been heard
by the Moore special food committee
II Indicates that before the committee
} winds up it's business the consumer will
begin to have an idea where he gets of.