New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-29
LAW AIMS ONLY
AT CONSPIRACY
Threats of Exposing Spec
ulators, However. Have
Shown Effect in City.
MAY MAKE PRODUCTS
Wealthy Members Purpose FL
nancing Factories to Replace
imports Barred by War.

y
The publication yesterday BY the
Mayors food price committee of an
opinion by the Corporation Counsel as
10 the powers of the committee. when
compared with somewhat radical nlans
proposed by some members of tho COM
mittee for the relief Of the food situa-
ton shows apparent discord in the
ranks.
IN ms opinion, Louis II. Hahlo. act
ing Corporation Counsel. saws that tho
committee is powerless to control the
conduct of individuals in their pos
session and disposition of food prod
ucts.
In the present state Of the law" he
says and in the light of the attitude
OF the courts upon the guarantees Of
inc state and federal constitutions
with respect to private ownership Of
property and the necessary incidents
% Such ownership, am Of the opinion
'"aV individuals, unless concerted sc-
''on oy them amounting to conspiracy
can De shown. would not be a1nenable
TO the criminal statutes for refusing
10 sell or for asking an increased price
Ior goods which they have on hand"
Discord in Committee.
me committee is composed of bust
ness men. Many of them are whole.
S;aie dealers in provisions. II is not
hnoWn that any Of the latter belong 10
me conservative wing some Of them
are known to be among the most &C
1--WE members of the committee
IL IS believed, however. that q seri
Gus dlference of opinion must have
preceded the publication of Mr..
hahlos opinion, as the members of
the committee knew their powers fair
~ well when they were appointed. and
tnelr efforts have been toward expos-
ing the hoarder Of food supplies. By
that method it is believed that the
committee had been instrumental i'm
preventing any great speculation in pro-
visions in this city. a prime factor in
ltS success was the rather hay knowl-
edge which prevailed as to the powers
OF the committee
Some members of the committee arc
Known to have views going even fur
ther than the exposition Of the food
Spectator. Upon word being received
yesterday that Chicago had passed an
ordnance imposing a penalty upon
those who increased food prices arbi-
trarily, Commissioner Joseph Harti-
gan, secretary of the committee, was
instructed to telegraph for further
particulars.
Through the wealth of its members
the committee represents a vast fort
une. IL is known that certain mem
bers are seriously considering the
financing of responsible and energetic
manufacturers, who would undertake
20 turn out food products to replace
the imported articles. such as maca-
ROM, which has been cut off by the
war.
George W. Perkins, chairman OF the
committee, yesterday began negotia-
tons with the Chamber of Commerce
designed TO stimulate the local pro-
duction of such foods.
Flour Lower al Mills.
Retail grocers and bakers of Brook
Ign told Commissioner Hartigan of the
Bureau Of Weights and Measures yes
terday that they had contracted, on
August !, for deliveries of -four for
the succeeding two months, and until
the end of September, at least, the
increased price of -four would not af-
feet their product.
Flour prices as quoted by the mills
were lower yesterday, ranging from
81 TO 81 80 d barrel. Jobbcrs were
selling at prices ranging from 81 20 TO
81 70. Meat remained about the same,
sirloin steak dropping two cents and
pork going up two cents.
Eggs went up one cent a dozen at
wholesale, owing, it is said to lighter
shipments. Last week $4,000 cases
came in and this week only 81 1000. The
amount of.raw sugar in the Appraisers
Stores to-day is 251 ,2l6,573 pounds,
compared with 294 sol ,066 pounds on
August /.
Grain shippers are in daily consul
tation with their counsel. John Bassett
Moore, ds TO the status of foreign con-
tracts. 1t is probable that, owing TO
the impossibility of making shipments,
wheat contracted for by Germany Will
be put on the market next week.
Borough President Marks Is conf
dent that the four open markets which
will be ready in Manhattan next Tues
day will result not only IN great saw
ing in the food supply, but in con
siderable saving 70 the consumer The
BROOKLYN Rapid Transit Company has
agreed to run cars in the early morn
ing for the convenience of the farmer
or gardener who wishes TO get his
supplies TO market.
A similar offer has been made by
the Public Service Corporation OF New
Jersey, which runs cars to Edgewater,
Just across the river from the Fort
Lee Ferry market. II is probable that
the Long Island trolley system. en-
bracing Freeport, Hicksville and Port
Washington, will make the same ar
rangement
New Markets May Help.
Through the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company Borough President Marks be
leves that he will attract the small
farmer in the outskirts Of the city
who has hitherto avoided the city
markets because Of the expense en-
tailed in getting small loads to the
dealers.
Applications have come in by hun
dreds from farmers who consider the
new market sites much more convent
ent for them than the old K. II. Macy
& Co. have agreed to put on sale al all
four of the markets bread. tea, coffee,
sugar and condensed milk az little
more than cost price.
Cooperation of large firms. buying
in carload lots, is sought by the Bor-
ough President, who would add their
/ buying advantages 10 the free market
to put provisions on sale at or near
cost as possible. The Street Railways