The Washington herald., 1917-11-04
WILSON MAKES
KNOWN FOOD
REGULATIONS
The New Licensing Law Will
Take Effect at
Once.

Complete and definite regulations
for governing the handling of foods
have been promulgated by the Presi-
dent, to take effect at once, In con-
nection with the licensing Of import
ers, manufacturers, wholesalers, can
ners, packers and large retailers.
The announcement states that the
principal objects Of the rules are as
follows:
ITO limit the prices charged by
every ncensee to a reasonable amount
over expenses, and forbid the ac-
QUESTION Of speculative profits from a
rising market.
ITO keep all food commodities
moving to the consumer in as direct
a line and with as little delay as
practicable.
$40 limit as far as practicable con-
tracts for future delivery and deal
ings in future contracts.
'Under the Food Control Act, in ad-
dition to the power to promulgate
rules, the President is given broad
powers to deal with individual cases.
This power will be freely exercised
ed to accomplish the three purposes
set out above. II every hcensee will
make those purposes the cardinal
principles of his business, and obey
the law and the regulations, he will
be free from interference by the gov
ernment. Violation is cause for re-
voking any license, as well as sub
jecting the offender to such criminal
penalties as may be prescribed"
Cannot Store Foods.
There are a large number of gen.
eral rules governing oil licensees, to-
gether with additional special reg
uIations for various trades in which
there are special conditions. or spe-
cifc abuses to be overcome.
The elimination of excessive prices
charged by small retailers who are
not subject to license will be helped
byga rule forbidding licensees to sell
foods to any person who is violating
section of the food control act by
taking excessive profits or speculat-
ing.
An important rule provides that no
licensee shall import" manufacture,
store. distribute, sell or otherwise
handle any food commodities on an
unjust. exorbitant, unreasonable, dis
criminatory or unfair commission
profit or storage charge"
With respect to a large group of
commodities. particularly non-perish-
ables, TIE regulations require that
profits shall be no greater than a rea-
sonable advance over the actual pur-
chase price Of the particular goods
sold, without regard to the market or
replacement value.
a. l.
reasonable justification. especially if
tending to result in higher market
prices. will be dealt with as unfair
practices.
Must Be Marked.
Handling foods in such ways as to
monopolize or restrict the supply is
guarded against.
Special rules require that foods
which have been held in cold storage
for more than thirty days shall be
marked Gold Storage Goods" when
offered for sale; prohibit speculation
in futures on canned goods; forbid the
shipment of potatoes which have been
seriously damaged; protect the pro-
ducer who ships his products to mar
kets on consignment against unfair
charges by commission men, brokers
and auctionoers. and cover many
other special points.
Licensees are required to keep rec
ords. to make regular reports upon
forms that will be furnished by the
Food Administration, giving complete
information regarding transactions in
the controlled foods. and to permit
representatives of the Food Admins
tration to inspect their property or
records. Information obtained in this
way is to be carefully safeguarded and
kept confidential by the Food Admin
istration.