Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-14
AMERICAN PRICE TAG MAY BE
ATTACHED TO ALL ARTICLES
OF FOOD AND CLOTHING.
BUSINESS MEN ASKED TO
VOTE FULL CONTROL
Proposal for Government Control Of
All Prices Made by Chamber Of Com
merce of United States-Need OF
Stable Prices Admitted-PIan to
Control Also Distribution Of Articles
Of Commerce.


government control of prices paid by
the consuming public for all necessi-
ties of life during the period OF the
war has been submitted to the bust
ness men of the country through q
referendum conducted by the chamber
of commerce of the United States.
A recommendation for the extension
to other articles of legislation for
controlling the prices Of coal and flour
was made by a special committee OF
the organization, Of which the follow
ing mid western men are members:
August H. Vogel. of Milwaukee.
vice president of Pfster & Vogel
Leather Company, chairman; E. w.
Decker of Minneapolis president OF
the Northwestern National bank: DAY.
id Knley Of Urbana, ILL.,, vice-presi-
dent Of the University Of Illinois; the
Hon. Charles Nagel of st. Louis; Rob-
ert J. Thorne of Chicago. president Of
Montgomery Ward & Co.
Would Rule All Prices.
The question is raised at particu-
larly interesting time in view OF the
number of important questions about
prices which have recently developed,
a chamber of commerce statement
says. THE referendum, II is said, will
show exactly where the principal or
CARNATIONS OF the country stand on
the subject.
After going very thoroly into this
subject. the national chamber price
control committee has recommended
that authority to control prices should
extend to all articles which have i'm
portance in basic industries as well
as in war. and which enter into the
necessaries of every day life: that
authority to control prices should be
extended to raw materials aand finish
ed products: that authority to con-
troll prices should extend to the prices
the public pays as well as those paid
by the government; that authority to
control prices shoulud be administer
ed by a small executive board appoint
ed by the president.
Control Distribution, Too.
ALSO that an agency working IN
harmony with the board controlling
prices should have authority to dis
tribute available supplies to those pur-
chasers whose needs are most direct
~ related to the public welfare; and
that each leading industry and trade
should create a representative com
mittee to represent it in conference and
to advise with agencies that control
prices and distribution.
THE national chamber has already
gone on record thru a referendum vote
of its members committing 1t to the
-, Al Rot oh M n
profit interest in war. This principle
has been reiterated several times by
the members OF the chamber since the
United States declared a state OF war.
Stable Prices Needed.
THE committee points out that for
success in business enterprise stable
prices are essential. Every seller OF
products Is purchaser OF materials.
No business can be satisfactorily con-
Quoted If 1t cannot ascertain its own
costs and prices in advance. When
there can be no reasonable certainty
about the future course of costs for
materials and equipment. it is pointed
out by the committee in its report that
every business faces known elements
as soon as it endeavors to determine
it's scale Of operation. the goods 1t will
make, and the prices 1t should ask for
it's product.
1T Is pointed out by the committee
that control Of prices charged to the
government, whether exercised under
authority Of law or thru voluntary ar
rangement with the sellers leaves the
situation of private buyers, who have
- H.: ::5::- -c::.!:-e.::"--t= IT =
diminished supply, worse than before
the prices to the government were
dealt With This is the case. too, 1t Is
further pointed out, whether the posi-
ton of industries buying for further
manufacture is considered or the sit