Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-11
Agriculture Department and
Trade Commission Ordered
by President to Begin.
TO SEEK TRUST VIOLATIONS

lQVeStlSdllOn, ana at lne same llIne II
made public President Wilson's request for
the inquiry. An adequate food supply,
a matter of concern to the nation at
all times. is Of peculiar importance at
the present, the President declared. De-
spite much that has been done toward
obtaining definite information concern
ing the supply and demand Of foods it
is not yet clear, he said, what meas
ures are necessary to effect funda-
mental improvements.
The commission Is ordered "to ascer-
tain the facts bearing on alleged vio-
lations of the antitrust acts. and par
ticularly upon the question whether
there are maniplations. controls, trusts.
combina tions. conspiracieS or restraints
of trade out of harmony with the law
or the pubic interest"
Letter Directing Inquiry.
The Department of Agriculture will
assist in the investigation. Alleged
manipulations. control and conspiracies
particularly.
President Wilson's letter directing the
inquiry is as follows:
"An adequate supply of food products
is a matter of concern to the nation
at all times. 1t is Of peculiar impor-
tance at present. Our domestic food
supply is normally very large and has
respects it has steadily expanded and
has kept pace with the increasing
population. Unfortunately. this Is not
true, however, of a large number OF
important staple products. including
certain cereals and particularly meats.
while the population of the nation
has increased 26,000.000 since 1900. the
production of the two leading cereals,
corn and wheat while tending to in
crease, has shown only slight ad-
vance. and that Of the meat products
in the same period has shown an in
crease Of only 3.500,000.o0o pounds
deerease ct twsnty-nine pounds per
much car be done snd Is being done
to change this situation through fm-
proved methods Of production. and
through the control or eradication of
plant and animal diseases. But there
are problems also of distribution. and,
in some respects. the problems present
ed in this field are the more difficult.
Only recently have official agencies
been created to deal systematically
with this side Of the difficulty Much
work has been done, and, considering
the limited nature Of the powers under
which 1t has been conducted, no lit
tie headway has been made, particu-
iarly in obtaining and diffusing useful
information.
Better System Of Distribution.
Nevertheless, it is not yet clear in
many directions just what the nature
of the difficulty is or what measures
should be adopted to effect fundamental
improvements. Many necessary facts
lob TO fpp
able whether any single agency of the
government at present possesses the
requisite power and equipment to Sc
cure the information needed to en-
able both public and private instru-
mentalities to render their fullest serv-
ice to the people.
ut is obvious that there will be no
sufficient incentive to enlarge produc-
tion if there does not exist an unob-
structed and economical system Of dis
tribution. Unjustifiable fluctuations in
prices are not merely demoralizing;
they inevitably deter adequate produc-
ton.
TT has been alleged before commit
tees Of Congress and elsewhere that
the course of trade in important food
products is not free, but is restricted
and controlled by artificial and illegal
means. 1t is of the highest public
concern to ascertain the truth or fall
sity of these allegations. No business
can be transacted effectively in an
atmosphere of suspicion If the al
legations are well grounded it is neces-
sary that the nature and extent of the
evils and abuses be accurately de-
termined. so that proper remedies leg
islative or administrative. may be ap-
piled. If they are not true it is equal
ly essential that the public be informed,
so that unrest and dissatisfaction may
be allayed.
Powers Should Be Made Adequate.
I'm any event. because of the grave
public interest which the food supply
affects, the efficient performance of the
duties imposed upon agencies of the
government requires that all the per-
tinent facts be ascertained. To this
end the powers of such agencies should
be made adequate. If in any respect
they are now deficient.
Pursuant to the authority conferred
upon me by the act creating the fed
eral trade commission, therefore, / di-
rect the commission, within the scope
of it's powers. to investigate and re-
port the facts relating to the produc-
ton, ownership, manufacture. storage
and distribution of foodstuffs and the
products or by-products arising from
or in connection with their preparation
bearing on alleged violations of the
antitrust acts. and particularly upon
the question whether there are manip-
ulatisns, controls. trusts, combinations.
or restraints of trade out
of harmony with the law or the public
interest.
81 am aware that the commission has
additional authority in this field
through the power conferred upon 1t
to prevent certain persons partner
ships or corporations from using unfair
of competition in commerce. 1 |
presume that you may see fit to exer-
else that authority, upon your own in |
Ltiative, without direction from me.
Department Directed to Cooperate.
.aThe Department of Agriculture has
been engaged for several years in |
studying problems of distribution ri
have noted that it has been proposed !
in the Congress to add to the funds of |
the department and give it larger pow
srs to conduct its investigation. As its |
activities will touch phases Of the prob |
lem I am calling to your attention |
which may not be covered by your in |
uuiry. and may furnish information of |
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