The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-10-19
HITS RETAILER
FOR HIGH COST
OF F0ODSTUFFS
Hoover Quotes Figures to Prove
Wholesale Prices Have
Been SIaShed.
ALL STAPLES ARE TOO HIGH
Declares Most Of Essential commodi-
ties Should Continue to Show Re.
duetions Between Now and
End of Year.

Washington, Oct. 19.-Food Admin
istrator Hoover announced "that the
corner has been turned in high prices"
he has gone as far as he can in
price reduction, he says, and assails
the retailers for not doing their part.
The next congress will probably be
asked to give him power to force the
retailers to abstain from profiteering.
Mr.. Hoover says:
"MOst of the essential commodities
should, one after another, continue to
Shew reductions between now and the
end of the year. The food admins
grower or his organizations. nor Of the
great majority Of retailers.
"The distribution chain lying be-
tween the warehouse, wholesalers,
commission men and manufacturers of
prime commodities has required q
great deal of study and development
for its proper regulation, and these
regulations are coming into force
now"
Mr.. Hoover said he had every hope
the retailers will cooperate, as the
farmers and other food handlers are
the allies at reasonable prices. Every
body aiong the hire. down to Ike re-
taller, he declared, already Is helping.
But retail prices do not by any means
reflect the Wholesale prices,
Prices Not Warranted.
He added:
1T Is necessary to secure large
production. to maintain fair and re-
imperative prices to the producers.
While their expenses have increased
during the past year, the prices de.
manded for certain commodities are
not warranted. The intermediate han
ding trades are being placed under
regulation: they are cooperating well
with the food administration. and the
speculation and proflteering are now
generally a thing Of the past.
''The retailers need the cooperation
of consumers In reducing deliveries
and their success in all measures will
rest largely upon the support they re-
eeive from local authorities"
Retailers Are Gouging.
Summarized, his review follows:
Flour.-The current prices at which
-four Is sold at the mill in jute bags
vary with the locality and freight
charges on wheat, Toledo showing the
lowest prices of $40 for first patent
and $9.70 for second patent; the high
est being Buffalo, at S1070 fol
first patent and 5000 for second
patent. The average retail price on
first patents in T96 cities on October
13 was $13.77. or from $1.50 to 81 pei
barrel higher than is warranted by
the price being paid to the millers
The retail price has not responded
to millers' reductions.
Beans.-The bean harvest Is esti.
mated by the department of agricul.
ture at approximately 100000, ,O00
bushels In excess of last year. The
growers associations are holding
beans at from 131a to Is cents PEI
pound. as against an average price last
year of 8 cents. There has been 1OC
per cent increase in the Manchuriau
bean crop and it is now estimated al
100000 tons. Owing to shipping
shortage practically the only outlet ia
to the United States, and these beans
will flow into the American market
from December much below the prices
now being demanded for American
beans.
Corn.-The harvest this year Is 600.
OOO,OO to 700 600 bushels over last
year, and will be generally available
about the end of November. The price
stands at S1.9O In Chicago. New corn
is quoted In Chicago at $1.13 for De-
cember and indicates 40 per cent
drop In the price of cornmeal.
Potatoes.-The harvest is 5e pei
cent In excess Of last year. The price
at the leading points varies from $1.5(
to $3.50 per 100 pounds. 1t Is higher
than at this period last year and Ii
due to tendency On the part of the
producer to hold for higher prices, and
to the temporary inability Of the rail
roads TO furnish cars.
Sugar.-Beet sngar prices are being
controlled by the manufacturers on 6
basis that should reach the retailer
from 8 to 81 cents per pound. A TEN
porary shortage in the Northeastern
states gives no warrant for advances
by retailers to over cents.
Beef-Beef already shows some
tendency toward reduction In whole
sale prices, but these have not beer
90 far reflected by the retailer. Ths
price Of beef at the packers door 1,
15H cents per pound, as copparet