The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-20

SAYSDEALERS
|NFOOD HERE
RUN COMBINE
Alleges Early Buyers Are Cor
nering Much of Farmers
Produce, Running Prices Up
Ward-Urges Municipal Mar
ket.

Inveighing against the untusti-
fiably high prices charged for food
stuffs in Washington, Senator Will
liam H King Of Utah disclosed to-
day that he has received reports
from a special investigator which
have convinced him:
That the day Of direct dealing be-
tween the farmer and consumer has
virtually passed.
That there is abroad in the Wash
tngton markets "early buyers" who
corner much Of the farmers produce
as soon as it reaches this city.
That there is support for the belief
that a combination exists among the
large dealers in foodstuffs.
Urges Municipal Market.
Senator King said today a Senate
investigation of Washington Market
conditions. in his opinion, would
quickly show the need Of the estab-
nshment OF q municipal market
The consumer is squeezed, he said.
somewhere between the farmer and
the ultimate retailer.
Admitting prices are high all over
the country. Senator King has found
that conditions in Washington are
particularly Objectionable because al
most in the shadow OF the Capitol.
and within q few miles Of the farms
OF Virginia and Maryland, produce is
selling at inordfnately high prices.
Senator King thinks the food ques-
ton is today the most vital prob
lem before the people OF the District
Of Columbia and more Intimately con-
Germs their welfare than universal
transfers, suffrage, and cheaper gas
and electric light rates.
Before senate Commute.
The King resolution for an inves-
LEGATION by the Senate which may
free the people OF the District OF
Columbia from excessive charges for
food products and supplies, is to-
day before & subcommittee OF the
Senate District COEmitte.
II have had q certain amount OF
investigating done myslf," said Sen
Rtor King today. Il am informed
that your markets are infested by
"early buyers" who purchase much
produce direct from the farmers, and
are, therefore enabled to hold up
prices.
ct am also informed that few farm
ers sell nowadays to the small mer-
chants. Reports to me are that the
g. l. - l. l.
influence Of the big dealer. The
farmer who attempts to peddle his
stun to the small fellow meets with
q cold reception, because the little
grocer fears that II he deals direct
he will be blacklisted by the big
produce interests and commission
houses.
This is certainly g matter that
should be investigated. 1t looks to
me as though there exists some sort
of q combination among the big
food dealers who can control the little
fellows by threatening to cut on
their supply.
Less Reason in Capital.
Il regard the market situation here
as altogether bad for the Capital OF
the United States. 1t is probably true
that all over the country there are
combinations Of commission houses,
but there is less reason It should exist
here than anywhere else.
Municipal ownership Of the mark ct
Is the solution. The State and the
city are not close enough to the peo-
pie, IN my opinion. City administra-
lions have fallen too much into the
hands OF the politicians. I refer to
other cities, OF course, as we do not
have the ordinary form Of city gov
eminent in Washington. The city
should be the friend and protector Of
its Inhabitants. II should furnish
parks, swimming pools, recreation
grounds, and municipal markets-so
that the consumer may not be gouged
washington is neither too large
nor too small to try the municipal
market II is the average city. A
municipal market would bring food
Iprices tumblIng down"
Senator King hopes for a favorable
report on his resolution of Inquiry
which also asks report on the feast
bility OF establishing and maintain
ing a municipal market.
Senator King is in touch with
George N. Roberts. superintendent OF
markets Of the District, regarding
the daily fluctuations OF food prices
In Washington.
The Utah Senator is going over the
report recently filed by the Commits
sioners' committee on the District
food supply. which is composed OF
Mr.. Roberts, DIR. Woodward, health
officer. and Charles F. Nesbit. super,
intendent OF insurance.
DR.. Woodward today expressed the
belief that q municipal wholesale
market would stimulate production Of
foodstuffs and their shipment to
Washington. There were difficulties
IN the way, he said, OF municipal re-
tail markets. among the difficulties
being that of deliveries.