The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-11-05
Administration to Assume
Control = Defines Fully
Objects of Regulations
ISSUES FORMAL
WARNING TO DEALERS
viii Prevent Over Charging and Specu-
lative Profits Handling Foods in
Way to Monopolize or Restrict Supply
Guarded Against.

WASHINGTON, Nov. j.-Control of
food prices of the country was as
sumed Saturday by Food Administra-
tor Hoover, acting under regulations is
sued 10y President Wilson, authorizing
him to license importers, manufactur,
ers, wholesalers, Gamers, packers and
retailers.
Announcing the complete and definite
regulations governing transportation
and sale of foodstuffs. the food admin
istrator said in a statement:
THE principal objects of the rules
are as follows:
ITO limit the prices charged by ev-
cry hccnsec to reasonable amount
over expenses, and forbid the acquisi-
tion Of speculative profits from a ris-
ing market
ITO keep all food commodities NOV
ing to the consumer in as difect a
line and with as little delay as prac-
ticablc.
I ''To Limit, as far az practicable. con
tracts for future delivery and dealings
/ in future contracts.
4 "Under the food control act, in adj
{ dltlon TO the power to promulgate
rules. the President is given broad
powers to deal with individual
cases. This power will be free
+ ~ exercised 10 accomplish the three
purposes set ont above. If every licen-
see will make those purposes the cardi-
nal PRINCIPLES of his business. obey the
law and the regulations, he will be free
from interference by the government.
Violation is cause for revoking any
/ license, as well as subieeting the OF
( fender to such criminal penalties rs
may bc prescribed.
There are a large number of general
I rules governing all licensees, with adj
, ditional special regulations for various
/ trades, IN which there are special con
I ditions, or specific abuses to be over
come.
Elimination of excessive prices bv
small retailers, who are not subject 10
4 license, will be brought about bv a
rule forbidding licensees to sell foods
to any person who is taking excessive
profits or specializing.
An important rule provides tnat no
lleensec shall "import, manufacture,
store, distribute, sell or otherwise
handle any food commodities on an I'M.
Just, cXorbitant, unreasonable, discrim
inatory or unfair commission, profit OF
storage charge
With respect to a large group of com.
moditles, particularly non-perishables
regulations require that profits shall
be no greater than a reasonable adj.
vance over the actual purchase price
Of the particular goods sold, withou;
regard to the market or Replacement
value.
In determining the amount of such
advance, the licensce may average the
cost Of goods of each class. For ex
ample, the cost Of all canned corn on
hand may be averaged and rcasonabl,
advance over such average will bt
deemed a fair sale price for came,
corn, but the licensec will not be per
United to average the cost Of all Ii
licensed commodities on hand and ado
an advance over such average.
Resales within the trade without rea
Sonable justification, especially if tend
, ing to result in higher market prices
Will be elasscd as unfair practices.
Whenever practicable, all shipment