Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-18
AN ADVENTURE IN LAW.
washington d. G. PCst.)

The United States takes a step into
new and strange fields today by the
enactment OF the law empowering the
President to control food and fuel
1t Is one of the NEST important pieces
OF domestic legislation ever devised by
Congress, and may be more far-reach-
ing than any other in its effects upoh
the daily life Of the people.
II successful in its scope and opera
ton, this law will put an end to the
manipulation of prices of food and
fuel lt\will enable the consumer to
buy these necessities at price repre-
senting nothing more than a reason
able proht to Il restricted number of
persons actually and necessarily hand
ling the goods on their way from
the grour to the table or the fur
mace.
Can the President through his cho-
sen agents, accomplish this wonder
full ideal? We mean, can he accom-
plish it successfully and beneiicially,
without strikes, shu:downs, bank.
ruptcics or decentralization of legit-
innate business?
Theoretically the task cannot be ac-
complished. Practically, we believe It
can and will be done.
80 WV IA 81 bitNct II VIII uOt ne
necessary to invoke the rigor Of the
law against offenders, as a rule. The
terror Of the law will be sufficient to
put nine out Of ten food spectators
to flight. The fact thai the Prcsi-
dent can come down upon a specula-
TOR, hoarder. manipulation or morop-
ol'st and put him behind the bars
VIII be enough to cause these crimi-
hais TO seek other pastures. They
are Shrewd lot, as is evident by
what they have accomplished withou.
dctectlcn and punishment: and they
know when to quit.
On this side Of the Grim. mails are
another lot, still shrewder. who ONO
rate within the law. They comprise
the unnecessary middlcmen, the hang.
crson and lceches who suck profit,
cut of food and fuel as these neces.
saries pass along to the consumer.
1T Will be difficult to destroy this class,
ana the process will take consider
able time. but the work can be done.
The way is open for the simplifica.
ton and dissemination Of marketing
methods. The producer and consum
CT can be brought within sight of each
other by this law.
a great deal of the work must be
experimental and tentative. The
problem Is peculiar to the United
states III many respects although i'm
It's greater features there Is much to
be gained by studying the experience
oil other nations. unfortunately, this
war has already shown us that ma.
tons arc reluctant 10 take short cuts
to efficiency by proiiting by the cNpc-
rlencc Of other nations. Each prefers
stumble along in its own way,
often over ground that has already
heen trod by its ally. The food adj.
mlnistrotor OF the United States has
hao much experience IN foreign coun.
tries during this war, and so far as he
can he will apply this experience.
Taken by and large, however, his ap-
pication Of the law must be in the
nature, of an experiment.
Bitter attacks are to be eXpccted
from the interests affected by this law
From the President down, evcrybc DIV
concerned III enforcing the law will
be moli2ned. Nothing in the imme.
d1ate future is more apparent than
the gathering of sinister forces to In IN
per and embarrass the government
IN executing this great law. The peo-
plc however, arc overwhelmingly be-
hind the President and the food adj
min:Stration, and VIC may he sure
that the people will not be cajolcd in
undated CT sWindled into abandon
ment OF the new law.