Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-18
HOOVER BARS
Huge PROFITS IN
FOOD PRODUCTS

Excessive profits are prohibited in
the case OF certain food dealers, &C
cording to the rules and regulations
issued BY the food administration,
COPY of which has been received by
the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce.
These rules and regulations which re-
ouire certain dealers in foodstutts 10
take out a license, provide, among
other things, that no licensee shall
charge directly or indirectly a COM
mission or brokerage on the sale OF
food commodities in excess Of that
which ordinarily and customarily pre-
walls under normal conditions in the
locality in which he does business.
No business man will be expected,
however. to forego his normal reason
able profits: the object, so. the food
administration says. is to prevent the
acquisition of speculative profits re-
sulting from a rising market
Another of the principles establish
ed in the rules is to the effect that
a wholesalers profit in war times, at
least on non-perishable foods, should
be governed by the price he actually
pays for them and not by prevailing
market conditions. The rules provide
that no dealer in specified commod'
tiles may sell at more than reason
able advance over the actual pur'
chase price of the particular goods
sold, without regard TO the market or
replacement value at the time Of
such sale. Regular and special re-
ports will be called for by the food
administration from each licensee.
No retailer or other dealer who, in
violation Of the food control act puts
excessive prices on necessary foods
viii be able to obtain supplies, under
another of the regulations. The or
ganization of the federal food admin
istrator in each state will report those
asking excessive prices.
No licensee will be permitted to-
keep on hand or have in possession
or under control, by contract or other
ARRANGEMENT, at any time, any food
commodities in a quantity in excess
Of the reasonable requirements OF his
business for use or sale by him dur
ing the period of so days, or to sell or
deliver to any person any food CON-
modities IL the 1icensee knows, or has
reason to believe, that such sale or
delivery will give to such person a
supply in excess Of his reasonable re-
uuirements for use or sale by him
during the period Of go days next sue
ceeding such sale or delivery. With
respect TO some commodities the limit
IA fixed at 80 days supply. Exceptions
are made of commodities which
are produced IN great abundance at
certain seasons. such as fruits, vege-
tables, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy prod
ucts, cottonseed products, and others.
These may be held in sufficient guam
titles to meet reasonable require
ments throughout the period Of scant
or no production. Sales in excess of
go days supply may be made for the
use Of the United States government
or her allies, or for cities and state
governments. It is also provided that
for seeding purposes food commod-
tiles may be stored longer than Sol
days IL notice IL sent to the food adj
ministration. No licensee will be pre-
vented from having on hand less than
q carload of any commodity and In
addition a carload in transit. !
The rules will not affect the valid |
fly of contracts made in good faith |
prior to October Is. but the licensee
will be required TO give to the food
administration copies of all such CON |
tracts which will not be fully per-
formed on January /, and on the lat |
ter date further action In regard to |
.,,,r,, ,,rv,fracfs will he considered