The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
l0RE PRICE Fixing
DESIRABLE SAYS
IRE TRADE COMM.
Body Also Desires to Have
lis Investigating Pow
'ers Broadened.
lHAs BEEN A BUSY YEAR
Many Important Investiga:
lions Were Made by
Commissioners.
fBy Associated Press.l

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12-Exten.
bon OF the governments price fixing
power to other products than food
and fuel and especially to iron and
steel. Is believed necessary to the
Federal Trade Commission in the
light Of experience gained in inves-
tigating economic conditions since the
United STATES entered the war. Re.
commentator that temporary ad
ministratiye body be established to
determine q reasonable price for
prime necessities and also to regu-
late the distribution Of raw mater.
ials and finished products was made
in the commissions annual report,
submitted today to Congress.
Other recommendations suggest
that the commissions power Of OBJ
tanning information be broadened to
authorize requirement of reports from
individuals engaged in commerce, as
we'll Jas corporations; that informa.
ton gathered by temporary semi-of-
ell Of National Defense including
ficfnf organizations such as the Coun-
all correspondence, be ordered pre-.
served; that trade association files
should be made public records; that
investigation of foreign trade condi-
tons be made to permit proper meas
ures with regard to American indus
trial organization now and when
( peace Is concluded; that the Webt
bin to eliminate associations for ex.
port trade from the operation Of tho
Sherman law be passed, and that the
1 REORGANIZATION Of $4,000 a year ba
= remoyed from the commissions ex
pert employees.
Declaration Of war has not lessen.
+ ed efher the number or importance
Of the complaints made to the Com.
s mission Of unfair competition but on
he contrary the numberQf complaints
IS Increased. Durin fiscal year
hding June 30 a total 1O2 com.
l Wants wereS disposed Of without
formal proceedings, leaving 191 CON-
{ plants still under investigation. Ap.
SplicaSions for remedial procedure by
1.-THE commission showed a decrease
from the fiscal year ending June so,
1915. n nine cases during the last
year the Commission issued formal
n complaints and in four the matter
was disposed of by the issuance OF
orders to cease and desist.
Beside its regulative functions, the
Commission has been engaged in &c.
onomic Investigations, the most i'm
portant Of which concerned the news.
/ print paper. gasoline and coal in
dustres. t the request Of the Presi-
ident, the Commission has undertaken
|1extensiye INQUIRIES into industries
|(furnishing war; supplies to the gov.
lernment and information thus obtain.
led ii being used as a basis for gov
eminent contracts.
Regarding the necessity for gov.
|ernrEntal prlce-fixing, the report
says
The experience of this government
IN the question of fixing prices is one
|ithat has been carefully followed by
the Commits sion, which has furnish.
ed extensive data for this purpose
g the Fuel Administration and to the
War Industries Board. The commi.;
sion has also had under consider.
ton The experience Of other cour.
tries IN this l;s tier, and particular,
England and her colonies, France ana
other allies. il is convinced tina,
|E<S1S AsAsu6 Wy autuOIlly Ol law VIZ.
Layc 20 be extended to other pro
ducts than forJ and fuel, and that
such cu,hct.,y IL preferably exercis.
today; In particular 1t is Of the opin
ION that sucn price.fixing power
lshould BIO established and exercise,
with respect to the iron and steeI
industry. for which bill has already
been introduced in the Senate. Equal
" important, in its opinion, with the
ixingsof reasonable prices is the reg
eulation Of the distribution of the raw
mateftA and intermediate products
% the; industry affected and of the
distribution of the final products to
the consumer. this connection also
should be considered the question
RhCther Donafide contracts made
$prior 70 the passage of price.fixing