The Hawaiian gazette., 1914-09-15
RlQE,PR0BE.
| UNg0VERs
MUCH
War Costs To American CONSUME
ers Being investigated SEN
ate Pulls Teeth Of Antitrust
Bill and other "Reforml' Mea-
sures Are Nearly AII SheIyed
BY Ernest q. walker

COMMUNICATION AtpthtAVhs rhN ny"fo ~
| tcresting facts are being developed,
Grand jury indictments are expected in
short order, especially In the District
Of Columbia, where the Investigations
are possibly little moro advanced
than IN other cities. All along the line
the same variety Of reports are being
received. Special agents of the do
partment Of commerce have been inquir-
ING in several localities, and their con
illusions coordinate in numerous re,
spects.i One feature is that retailers
have advanced their prices much more
slowly THAN the wholesalers. This was
the report made by special agents both
In Washington and Boston. Managers
Of the big cold storage warehouses
have in many instances refused TO sup
ply information to federal authorities.
presumably on the ground that IL Is
not matter over which the federal
authorities have any jurisdiction.
3 Flour and Sugar
There seems 10 have been an un.
usual amount Of speculation in hour
and sugar, and the prospects are that
indictments will result in the federal
courts. Probably there have been no
combinations between wholesalers and
Retailers in these products, but the 70
tailers are naturally affected WHENEVER
wholesalers advance prices. Much talk
has been heard about Increased prices
for olive oil, which may figure more
or less in the forthcoming litigation.
The department Of Justice has received
from a big olive oil house a copy Of
its circular TO the trade in August,
which states that notwithstanding the
price of olive oil had been advanced
'by other wholesalers, the price on its
oil would not Re raised so long as ~
fair stock on hand lasts, and in no
event except upon ten days notice,
90 that consumers may send in orders
10 be filed at the old prices and dis
counts This honse states that il has
ID fair supply in its tanks in this coun.
try and "a liberal supply in its tanks
an Italy, but asks the trade to co.
operate with it in an effort to avoid
an advance in price by not ordering
moro than is necessary for Immediate
requirements.
III Drug Advance
b The very great advance in prices Of
drugs and medicines is receiving atten-
tion from investigators. The abuses
there appear to be of a faorant char
lacter. A soptliern physician reports
that since the beginning of the Eu-
ropean war, Salvaron, a specific usAd
In the treatment of pellagria. preya-
lent disease in the South among poorer
classes, has increased from SO so TO S10
per dose II is claimed. this cannot be
attributed TO natural causes. Prices
are undoubtedly advancing on a great
variety of articles ut n rand rate,
The government's investigations are
fully establishing this.
No. Pulling the Teeth
There Is. curiosity ms TO what the
antitrust laws Of congress- viii amount
ito when they have been enacted. Con-.
sarvafive Influences in the senate have
bad their way to q great degree. and
the Clayton Antitrust Bill, drastic
measure as il came from the house.
has bsen deprived Of Hits teeth.''
Most Of the penalties have been struck.
ont by the senate. although II does not
follow that the house will asset In.
conference TO these changes. Public
attention has heen almost entirely di-
verified from this measure. Few people
have ahv idea what the measure means,
except. perhaps that IL prohibits in
terlocking directorates after couple
of years and extends certain exemp-
tions TO labor unions. ~
For Election Purposes
The purpose of the senate seems to
be TO get through the shadow Of O.
new antitrust law, which in the com
ing campaign can he used as an evi-
denee that the Democratic party has
kept It's platform pledges. The Fed
eral Trades Commission Bill has some
strong features, from the reformers'
point Of view. but IL remains to be
seen what shape 1t will be in when il
has come out OF conference. III the
Railroad Securities Bill, PASSED by the
house, is dropped in the senate, the
whole antitrust program mighs appear
unworthy of all the fuss and fury that
has been expended over IL in the course
of the last three months. Republicans
punched many holes in this program
during the long debate thereon, and
have virtually compelled the Democrats
to back down at many points. y
Conservation Progress
~ remains uncertain whether the So
called conservation measures, over
which there has been an immense to-do
in the house, will amount TO much.
These bills are only through the house,
and will have no force as laws unless
approved BY tho senate. But there Is
no evidence Yet that the senate pro-
poses to pay any attention to them.
Indeed, tho senate has its hands very
full for the present. and unless congress
is TO stay in session all the autumn
il is difficult to soc how there Will
be time for these conservation bills
during the life of the present con.
gress. t.st In
European war matters have been
very diseoncertiug for all these Demo
cratic plans. Tho President has had
very little.dine TO give TO them, and
the branches Of ebngress have toiled