New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-17
Congress to Urge
That Hoover Curb
Retail Sharks
If He Doesn't Ask for the
Necessary Legislation
Members May Act
By lanes Arthur Seavey

" ASHlNG ON, DeC. ~ - VIZ WV
administration doesn't ask Congress
within a reasonably short time to pass
such legislation as will enable Mr.
Hoover and his associates TO deal with
the retail food sharks, one of three or
four bills that are now up the sleeves
Of Representatives will be pulled down
and introduced in the House. Repre-
sentatives and Senators from various
parts of the country have heard from
constituents on this matter, and many
feel that some action is not only neces-
sary, but compulsory.
The consumer who has to deal d.
rectly with the retail provision dealer
has heard a lot about Hoover and the
food administration, and about how
wholesalers and jobbers have been
made to lower prices, but all that, so
members of Congress are hearing, has
brought about no material reduction IN
the things that the market basket car
ries home. And the ultimate consumer
wants to know why. He reasons that
if Congress can create an organization
that will regulate the price OF food
stufrs at their source the retail price
ought to be much lower than it is.
Household Buyer Neglected
As n member of the New York Con-
gress delegation said this afternoon:
THE food administration is doing a
great work, but it is not as popular all
over the country as it might be, for
the reason that it talks a lot about
feeding our allies and about winning
the war by saving food, but only now
and then does it appear to have time TO
think of the household buyer and the
sky-high prices that have to be paid for
practically everything that goes on the
table.
"The people Of this country are just
as determined 70 win the war as Mr..
Hoover is and want to help him all
they can. Sixty-five per cent Of our
people are doing all the food saving
they can, not only because of the food
administration, but in spite OF it. They
must economic, because they have no
money TO expend in food that will be
wasted.
at is all very we'll and quite true to
say that the value of the dollar has de-
preciated. that it won't buy as much
now az il did four years ago, and all
that. but that doesn't interest or salts
fy those who simply haven't the money
70 pay the existing retail prices for
food. The arguments of political
economy, no matter how sound, will not
paw the butcher, the baker and the
candlestick maker, and that's what
nightly interests the ultimate con-
sumer Just at present. They don't ask
for the retailers scalp. but they think
they ought TO Rave few locks Of his
hair.
Something May Happen
"Tf Hoover doesn't give them more
relief than he has. or if Congress
doesn't give Hoover the power 10 do so,
! don't know what will happen 10 Hoo
YER, but do know what will happen to
some Congressman, and one of them |
have known Intimately for more years
than would like to admit
"As IT was easy enough for Congress,
in spite of Senator Reed, of Missouri.
70 give the food administration the
power il has TO regulate the prices of
food at its source, or in the hands Of
the wholesaler. so II will be easy for
Congress TO give the power 70 haul up
the retailer if he undertakes to profit
eer. as, | take it, most of them have.
judging from the fifty to a hundred and
fifty letters a day which get from my
constituents.
"The substance of most OF these let
ters. after the grievance has beer
stated, is that the constituent wants to
know what | purpose doing about il,
and AZ think waSelected to represent
the average man and woman in my dis
trict or the average inhabitant of Mars.
When they come that way they are
embarrassingly concrete and they de-
mand q concrete reply. A Congressman
can't spend much time sparring for
wind. and he can't dodge much. II ne
doesn't come across now the voters in
his district will II he runs again next
year.
Easiest Way Out
The easiest way out of the situa-
ton. which is very eXistant and not
imaginary, would be for the food sd-
ministration 20 ask Congress for def
mite and specific legislation to deal
with retailers in foodstuifs who in
one way or another are gouging or at
tempting 10 gouge their customers.
II assume that Mr.. Hoover and his
associates know better than any one
else Just the kind OF legislation that