The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-26
KEEPING DOWN COsTTOF FOOD.

&kEER1NG#DUWN #OO01#UE EOOD.
H5RsoNs who cannot see how the government can
possibly help the people in matters Of price regula'
tion Of food products can learn a little lesson from
the reslnt history Of sisal hemp.
This Is the material from which binder Irvine is made;
1t is a product of Mexico and Central America, its price
directly effects the cost OF wheat, and so it concerns
everyone.
Recently the International Harvester company ac'
cused tile marketing organization OF Mexican planters,
called the "Commisslon Reguladore," of withdrawing
sisal hemp from the market in order to force higher
prices. Representatives OF the "Comision' IN turn
charged that the Harvester company sought to corner
sisal5 and to create a shortage, and discredtt the plant;
ers' organization, and the directors asked tSat the dis.
posal Of The present available supply Of sisal be handed
over 10 The Federal TraIle Commission.
a. resolution to this effect passed the senate without
debate last week. al @
Unlet he agreement the sisal must be sold at present
prices plus any increase iii ocean freight rates. Within.
80 days any manufacturer desiring to buy must file an
AFFIDAVIT. that he needs thu fibre for manufacture for do:
nestle consumption during the season of 1915, and all
manufacturers must be given equal opportunity to buy
for manufacturing purposes, but not for speculation.
The ls5.0Ot bales. said to be on hand, will insure a SUI.
fcient supply OF binder Irvine for this years harvest.
The distribution Of stsal by the Federal Trade Com
mission shows very closely how many another conlno-
dity wh:nr directly effects the price Of food might be
kept II ~ the hands of SPECTATORS and the unfair meth
dds II boosting prices employed by big corporations.
The Federal Trade Commission consists OF FIVE men
appointed by the president. 1t was approved two years
ago. Tts activities are not yet understood by the gener.
al public. .
This p.atter OF sisal hemp is a good lesson in the power
of the Federal Trade Commission to be Of service to the
people.
Q, Shaw. Where was Vic yesterday morning?
Lincoln votes on the good road proposition today
H@N III --- &&#&W##z
Germany may soon start something on the sea.
5&E ------o-
The police seem 10 be nippiug traffic offenders right
and left just now.
Couaway must be a general hard guy. Any fellow that
would break up winning combination has no heart. But
it shows re was on the job
Christine Miller certainly has a great number of
friends III this city. G
The Democrats are going to ignore the tariff in the
campaign. 1t is to laugh. .2.
The y. NJ c. of Pittsburgh is going to start a cam.
patgn for a million dollars. Better send for Right.
--o--
vice is said to still be rampant in Chicago. 1t would not
be Chicago IL such were not the case.
That Peanut Politics yarn in the morning paper Of
yesterday read like a Democratic shell game.
---o--- .
Have you a street car on your lawn?
s .a---o- #
Tie season of l%awnmowers is with us again.
--o-- Fl
A British editor classes Wilson with Lincoln. Must
have been drinking strong tea. "M
samuel insult hopes for quick end Of war. So say We
all Of us.
If Ford starts a third party it will be called The jltney
contingent. #