The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-22
PRICES REGULATED
BY GOVERNMENT
Such Procedure Would Put Food
Spectators Out of
Business.

The Citizens association OF seventh
precinct Lee ward. In the regular
monthly meeting Tuesday evening,
April 10 held in the assembly hall,
Barton Heights school, took up the
question OF the advancing prices OF
all commodities, especially food pro-
ducts: First, the citizens adopted reso-
buttons obligating themselves 10 plant
gardens and to conserve what they
raised by canning the surplus. Sec
ond. they adopted unanimously
calling on the president to
use his great influence 10 induce the
congress TO pass laws TO regulate and
control prices. either by special
commission or by authority vested in
the agricultural department. The
preamble and resolution which was
mailed ITO the president embodied
the facts as stated in remarks by
Mr. O. A. Hawkins. delivered at the
meeting. which follow:
While we all depiore the neces-
sity for war. we realize there was
no other result at all possible, but
that now existing by congressional
action. War is not the only danger
proha bility confronting this country
and her people right now. Economic
questions. as affecting government &C
tivities. and the great mass OF our
people demand prompt and serious
consideration. Extensive Offices
through the press of the country have
heralded the patriotism of certain in
dustrial corporations in Offering TO
supply material to our government AT
cost. or. in some instances. at 1915
prices. Cost what word for Jug
glers. Is ii not true that virtually
the same interests own the iron ores.
the furnaces, the coal mines and the
,stl xNtev irnt
selling at SIS to SIS in 1916. now $50
to $40. Coke selling IS to 81 in 1915,
now SIS to SIG per ton The in
crease in wages paid, and in some in
stances modest increase in carriage
cost, are the only real differences in
cost to these corporations. Don't you
see that II manufacturers control JTe
raw material, which Is, to a great ex-
tent. admitted, and the price of raw
material is doubled and these taken
as basis for estimating cost, the
government is sure to be INFLATED in
excessive prices. The government. to
save her citizens and taxpayers from
having to pay enormous tribute to
the few. must control prices made ny
the iron and coal mines. the furnaces
and coke ovens, as well as the indus
trial plants. OF the materials men
toned, of course the mass of people
"iS htpSN iuliHdtCiS dHcCttu Nv the
coal situation; indirectly they are also
affected by the excessive prices for
the other commodities named. Even
more far-reaching and dangerous, as
affecting the temper of the great
mass of our citizens. Is the present.
and ever increasing cost OF the very
necessities of life.
ION March 3 jobbers In Richmond,
Va. were selling rice at lac per
pound; on March 4, just one day
later. brokers were in competition
offering &c per pound for all of the
stock to be found. They we're evil
IDENTITY employed in the interest Of per-
sons or corporations like those who
have bought up the wheat, corn,
beans. potatoes. onions, cattle, hogs
and other. food products rated as ac-
tual necessities. II is common knowl-
/ edge that many packers who in nor
NAL times are anxious to make prices
for their products. for later deliveries
are declining to do so now, or il pre-
vailed upon to fix u price, make 1t pro-
hibitive. Most Of these packers have
made binding contracts for their raw
material and know what their prod
net will cost them, except, possibly.
Y sss sCon9tnueA On Second Ease. 4 - a