Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-13

bona tide contracts of sale made prior
to the enactment of the law would
initiate against the most successful
operation of price fixing by the govern
ment"
The need of a comprehensive inVes-
tigation of trade associations. accord
ing to the report. has been developed
from the commissions other inquiries.
Lack Of adequate trade information
has been found to be one of the chief
obstacles in many industries to the
operation of natural competitive
forces, and where trade associations
collect such information, it was liscoN-
cred that. temptation frequently re-
suits to control prices artificially and
the channels of distribution. Pub
licity of trade association files. it i.
urged, would extend the knowledge OF
demand and supply and help to pre-
vent abnormal fluctuations in prices,
as well as tend the curb association &C
tivities Of Objectionable character.
Economic Investigations during the
year have been made into the news
print paper, book print paper, petro-
leum. beet sugar, flag, lumber. an
thraci coal and btuminous coal IN
dustries. Results of the inquiries were
made public as completed, but tho
commission takes occasion in the re
port to point out that the passage of
time has confirmed the correctness OF
its deductions from the coal investi-
CATION that the delay in the movement
of cars is what is limiting the output
of the mines.
In the absence Of sufficient refor-
nation in the use of rolling stock the
coal situation in this country will con-
tinlle 10 increas Sc in its menace to the
public welfare" the report adds.
Opportunity also is taken TO recti-
fN q Misrepresentation which the com
mission found to exist regarding a
para graph in its coal report, which
said:
"Whatever measure OF success has
marked the efforts of the commission
with relation to anthracite coal has
been largely because the car supply
has been adequate by reason of the
close corporate relation between rail
transportation and anthracite produc-
ton Quite the contrary condition ex-
lists with relation to bituminous and
rail transportation and with relation
to water transportation as to both
kinds Of coal"
This statement the report says. has
been misconstrued to mean that a
close corporate relation between coal
mining companies and transportation
agencies is desirable. The report con
tinues:
Nv,
was seeking simply to show that II
sufficient interest is present, transpor
tation facilities in existence can be
made adequately to care'for stimulated
production. The speedy movement OF
coal by interested transportation com
par was pointed out to emphasize
by contrast the misuse of rolling stock
by other transportation companies The
evils Of community Of interest be
tween coal producing and coal trans
porting companies are fully recognized
by the commission.
Dire city as to anthraclt this is
shown by abnormal freight rates
y hich have been secured by interested
ansportation companies for the move
ment OF such coal. Instead of being in
the public interest, this community Of
corporate interest, therefore, makes
for l,nduly high prices Of coal to the
public and has in it the making Of fur
Their monopoly"
In order to obtain corporation re-
ports in a more servicable form, ire
commission has been advising indus
tries regarding uniform methods of
cost accounting, but because Of the
tn oh # ic II
turned over to the department Of com
mCrCG. Reports from manufacturing
concerns, classified by industries, were
requested on q voluntary basis, but the
returns were disappointing. The com
mission points out the desirability of
a general survey OF corporations and
adds that information thus obtained
could be used in enforcement Of laws
against inter-company stockhOldirg
directorates While the commission in
some instances has interviewed to pre-
vent suspected projects OF this kind. it
is said that many violations Of law will
escape detection unless some system
attic investigation is made.
investigations Of war materials ut
the direction Of the President have
been concerned chiefly with the prep
aratun and marketing Of meats, grain
foods and canned vegetables and fish,
the operation OF produce exchanges.
coal and coke, iron ore, iron and steel
products, petroleum products, lumber
for shipbuiding, cement. fire brick,
copper, lead, zinc, nickel and other
metals or alloys.
TIE Old-fashioned marblo.topped