The weekly soliphone., 1917-05-03
INSISTS PRICES
 ARE MANIPULATED
J. H. Lee Takes Issue With Experts Regarding Claim That Food
 Shortage Exists.

] Much is being said and printed
 about high prices and the scarcity
 of food supplies. There never was
 more food stuff in the country at
 this season of the year. For many
 months there has been nothing ex-
 ported, because of the submarine
 menace. Most of last years pro duction of wheat, meat, corn, and potatoes, not yet consumed by our | people, are congested on our
 wharves True, these commodities
 are in the hands of a few men of
 means and foresight. These men
 are of course, in a position to ex
 act whatever price from the public
 they may demand.
 The few staples being thus held at extortionate prices by specula- tors, has given the cue to small dealers to spring the price on all articles and use the foreign war as pretext for the outrageous prices on all articles Of food and wear. Most high prices were fixed long before our country became involv- ed in the war, and with food stuffs banked on our shores, where it still remains. There is no scarcity of food in this country, but it is cor nered, and being held for still higher prices.
 It had as well be said that no blame attaches to men who have the means and the business sagaci- | ty to monopolize the food supplies It requires foresight and the audac- lity of genius to reach into the flu judgment. It is the game of busi- ness, played on large scale, to buy as cheaply as you can, and sell as high as possible. We all play that game, and none of us would hesi- tate to do just what is being done. | if we had the means and the busi- ness astuteness. We see this il- lustratde every day, and the little sharper is as merciless as the big Shylock.
 In times of peace there is no way to curb some and push others in business enterprises. Men are free to engage in any line of enter prise, and may fix the price of their products and their labor. The pub lie is not required to patronize any one. Competition in business is the life of the commercial world, and the spur of individual effort. But men should be satisfied with req sonable profit There should be a limit set to their exploitation of the public. Wheat that cost them so cents a bushel, can be sold at $50, instead of $16 per barrel, and make a good profit. Meat that cost cents per pound might be sold at 12 cents, instead of 2S cents as now. Potatoes that cost 75 and so cents per bushel, could be sold at $2, instead of $450. In other words, speculators in food stuffs should be content to make 200 per cent, and not, demand 400 per cent, as is now being done.
 While it is not the policy of our government to interfere in the private enterprises of the citizen, or to dictate the prices he shall re- quire for his labor or his commod ities. it might in war times exer- else a supervising control over the food supply. It could do no wrong by setting just and reasonable price on the necessaries of life, al lowing the dealer fair profit on his goods. In these times all should be patriotic, and while the masses of the people defend their country, speculators should do their part by selling food at just and reasonable profit. The failure of the people to respond to their country's call, is not because of a they owe first duty to their fami- lies, and they deem it proper to fight the wolf of want from their own doors, before they engage the enemies of their country. s
 There has been but slight in- crease in wages in recent years and with food at present prices, few men can see how their families could subsist on the meager pay of soldier, and hence they are slow