Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-13

not available, and it is questionable
whether any single agency of the gov
eminent at present possesses the re.
quisite power and equipment to secure
the information needed to enable botr
public and private instrumentalities to
render their fullest service to the PEG
pie.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS.
'It is obvious there will b. ~ sufi-
cienJ incentive to enlarge production If
there does ont exist an unobsJructed and
economical system of distribution. I'm
justifable fluctuations in prices are not
merely demoraliz ng; they inevitably de-
ter adequate production.
at has been alleged before committees
of congress and elsewhere thai the
course of trade in impor amt food prod
ucts is not Tree, but is restricted and
controlled by artificial and illegal means.
1t is of the highest public concern 10
ascertain the truth or fals!ty Of these
allegations. No business can be trans
acted effectively in an atmosphere of sus-
picion. If the allegations are well
grounded, it is necess AIRY tina, the nature
and extent of the evils and abuses be
accurately determined, so that proper
may be applied If they are not true, 1t
is equally essential that the public be
informed, so that unres, and dissat4s-
faction may be allayed.
I'm any event, because OF the grave
public interest which the food supply
affects, the eifici,ut performance Of
the duties imposed upon aEenCiCs OF tAl
government requires that ali the pert
nent facts be ascertained. To this en-,
the powers of such agencies should be
made adequate if IN any respect Tie!
are now deficient.
s"Pursu ant 10 the authority conferred
upon me by the act creating the fedora
trade comm ssion, Therefore, / direct the
commiss! on, within ,hC scope OF its pow
ers to Inves igate and report The facts
relating to the production. OWNERSHIP
manufacture, storage, and dis n bu tISn
of foodstuffs and the products OF b.
products arising from or in connect.or
with their preparation and manufac lure,
to ascerta n the facts bearing on ALLEGED
violations of the antitrust acts, and
particularly upon the question whether
there are mani pulations. controls, trnsOs
combinations, conspiraCies or restraints
of trade out of harmony with the law or
the public interest.
BOARDS AUTHORITY.
.-. II am aware that the commission has
additional authority in lhts field throug
he power conferred upon it to proven
certain persons, partnerships or corpor
atoms from using unfair methods Of
competition in commerce. l presume
that you may see fit to exercise that
authority, upon your own initiative,
without direction from me.
The department of agriculture has
zen engaged for several years in study
ing problems of distribution. I have
-goted that it has been proposed in the
congress to add to the funds of the de-
partment and give it larger powers to
conduct it's investigation. AS it's &C
-ivities will touch phases of the prob
EN- / am calling to your attention
which may not be covered by your in
JURY. and may furnish information of
great importance for the purpose con-
templated. I shall direct that depart
ment to cooperate with you, in this en-
terprise..
For the adequate prosecution of the
inquiry by both commission and the de
partment of agriculture it is essential
that sufficient funds be available. l ac-
cordingly request that you furnish me
at the earliest possible moment an esti-
mate for an appropriation, if one is
needed, TO supplement existing appro-
priations, to enable you successfully to
carry out the investigation.
"a copy of this letter is being sent
o the secretary of agriculture with the
direction that his department cooperate
with you and with the request that he
furnish an estimate for the funds need
ed by his department"
CONFERENCE ON PLANS.
The secretary of agriculture, the trade
commission announced, was asked today
for conference to arrange preliminary
plans for the investigation and to make
estimates for its cost.
Increases during January ranging
from l TO ii per cent in dealers stocks
of frozen beef, frozen pork, dry salt
pork, sweet picked pork and lard are
shown in the monthly figures on these
stocks made public today by the depart
ment of agriculture. During the month
stocks of cured beef and frozen lamb
and mutton decreased
The figures show the following totals
on hand February /: 1S9, 1926 pounds
of frozen beef reported by 90 firms, a.
s54, $50 pounds of cured beef reported by
243 firms, 65,926,244 pounds of frozen
pork reported by POI firms, 217,290642
pounds of dry salt pork reported by 302
firms, 323,075,4S4 pounds of sweet pick
led pork reported by 364 firms, S7.SO4,663
pounds of lard reported by 1913 firms. ana
$500, 457 pounds of frozen lamb and NUT
ton reported IA ia firms.
Compared with February /, 1915,
stocks of frozen beef increased PAS pc,
cent; cured beef increased 56.3 per cent
frozen pork decreased 25.S per cent, dry
salt pork increased 81 per cent; sweet