The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-19
TO REGULATE PRICES.
Grocers of State Held Conference with
Food Administrator.


Pursuant to request of Food Admin
istrator James Hartness, about 30 per-
sons from 10 towns gathered in the State
House last evening for the purpose of
forming an organization which will rep
resent the grocers in interpreting the
minimum and maximum prices for
wholesalers as well as retailers. The fol-
| lowing conference committee was elect
ed: Burlington, C. A. Barber; St. Al
bans, NJ. 4. Sullivan; Rutland Il. C.
johnson; Brattleboro, J. L. Stocllwell;
| Barre, f. ID. Ladd; Montpelier, l.. B.
| Brooks; st. Iohnsbury, A T.. Smith; Bel
lows Falls, j. M. Heath; Springfield, w.
| ID. Stearns.
Beside Mr.. Hartness there were pres
ent g. d. Nelson, director of dealers in
food products, Director of Publicity John
ID. Cushing, and Executive Secretary J..
A. Walker, each of whom assisted in the
explanation of the motives of the organ
ization. Following the selection of the
conference committee, an executive com
mittee was selected. Upon their going
to their homes, each of these members of
the conference committee will select an
interpreting board in his home town,
who in turn, will select as a chairman
some man outside the grocery business,
who will be member of the food admin
istration
During the evening many problems
connected with the cash and carry plan
of delivery and the profits of the grocers
were discussed. There were as many
opinions expressed as there were speak
ers among those attending the confer
enee, which furnished diversity of argu
ments but which for the most part We're
easily disposed of by the persons attend
ing without the food administrator being
asked to decide the matters.
The purpose of the whole plan is the
one which the federal food administra
ton is placing in effect, namely, of get
ting the food products from the manu-
facturer to the consumer at the lowest
cost with a reasonable margin of profit
for each person handling the goods. The
prices at first win be confined to pota
toes, sugar and flour, and later be wild
ened to other commodities. These prices
win be published in the daily papers for
the benefit of the consumers. +. d. Ladd
was made chairman of the conference
committee and A. Z. Smith of st. Johns
bury secretary The executive commit
zee win be composed of the whole COM
nittee.
Grocers Later Talked Shop.
Following the meeting the grocers
alked for long time OH matters in
which thev are interested, among which
vas potatoes. 1t was agreed among them
hat there is an overcrop in Vermont, the
anne as in other states, as shown by the
overnment report, and the general opin-
III - L. So
OF bringing in potatoes when there is
emand for them, later in the season
he market will be elutted with the
roduet
Prices were discussed. but there seemed
, be nothing for publication relative to
tese Profits were also under considera-
on, and the grocers seemed to feel that
rev know of no way in which they could
ct the crop moving, that they might
I'VE the farmer money, which he viii
rely, in their opinions, lose next spring
the potatoes are not now placed on
lie. The bringing of cars into the state
as under consideration, but it was
,md that most of the grocers were dis
elined to do this. 1t was found that
other places the price was consider
,ly lower than in this locality. After
scussion it was brought out that if po-
toes were used it would save on the
heat supply
The tricks being played upon the gro
r. by those getting sugar were also
lder consideration for a long time.
lere seemed to be a general opinion
at cards must be provided, TO be given
t by the town clerks in each town, and
these record of sugar purchases kept
lieh would prevent boarding Grocers
pm each town stated instances where
ey knew boarding is occurring aud that
their opinion either the card must be
ed or prosecution must take place at
Y early date The opinion prevailed
lt if the cards are early placed in use
? sugar condition would soon strike an
m keel and the condition be relieved