The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-12
MORE PRICE FIXING ENTER HOLY CITY
Must Be Extended to Steel and
Other Products.
Greater Powers for Protection
Against PrOfiteering.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Price fixing
must be extended to iron and steel
and many other products, the federal
trade commission declared in its an
nual report, submitted to congress to-
day.
Far greater powers over business are
necessary if the government is to act
for the protection of its citizens from
profiteering and unfaire, trade prac-
tees, the commission asserted. 1t
recommended also: An investigation
of trade associations" suspected of
promoting price-boosting campaigns
among members; a further attempt to
unscramble the petroleum industry;
passage by congress of the Webb eX-
port bill.
Regulate Raw Material.
1.-THE commission is particularly of
the opinion" the report read that
price fixing by authority of law should
be exercised with respect to the iron
and steel industry, for which bill
has been introduced in the senate.
Equally important, is the regulation
of the distribution of raw materials
and intermediate products in the in
dustry affected and of the distribution
OF the final products to the con-
sumer."
The commission declared the pur-
pose of these laws would be defeated
if existing contracts, largely based on
inflated war-prices, were allowed to
continue.
Trade associations are declared to
"engage in activities tending artificial
ly to control prices and the channels
of distribution" Making public all
the records and files of these associa-
lions is recommended as a remedy.
Abolish Common Stock Ownership
More effectively to check the mon
opolized" petroleum industry, the
commission suggested laws to abolish
common stock ownership in corpor-
atoms which have been members of a
combination dissolved under the
Sherman antitrust law, and legisla-
ton which would make the owners of
stock in naturally or potentially
competing companies responsible for
any acts which the various companies
which they controlled performed to
prevent competition.
| The petroleum industry at present
is declared to be conducted by a num-
| Der of separate corporations, owned
| by small body of capitalists" which
| do not compete.
The petroleum industry at present
is declared to be conducted by a num-
Der of separate corporations, owned
! by a small body of capitalists" which
| do not compete.
| A chief difficulty of the coal indus
! try, the report said. is the ownership
by railroads of coal mines to which
| favoritism is shown in supplying cars.
This. it is declared, accounts for
much ''car shortage elsewhere. and
keeps coal production SO per cent un-
der its capacity production.
Consumer Pays the Freight.
Railroads which own anthracite
mines are accused of another offense
obtaining from the 1. c. c. ''extor-
tionate freight rates" on the coal they
ship. Increased costs are passed or
to the consumer.
On recommendation from the COM
mission, the justice department is run
ming down evidence on flag manufac-
turers who raised prices at the begin
ming of the war.
Among unfair practices" the com
mission has discovered the past veal
are included: intimidation, refusal tC
accept advertising, price cutting. dis
arrangement of goods, disparagemen
of business, false advertising, mis-
branding, stimulation of slogans, use
of coupons, use of leaders, cutting o,
competitors supplies and credits
bribery and enticement of employees
use of bogus Independents. enhancing
prices of raw materials. malicious and
veXa tious law suits. inducing breaci
of contract, use of same or simila1
trade name, conspiracy to injure com
petitors, espionage, exclusive dealing
contracts and defamation of name anC
goods.