Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-24
WILL ASK STATE LAW
TO REGULATE PRICES
State Dairy and Food Commission
Announces Next Legislature
Will Take Action.
COST OF MILK RAISES ISSUE
Al Present No Way Open for Au-
thoritics to Take Hand III Pre-
venting Consumers From Being
Gougcd by Dealers.

The high cost OF living will receive
attention from the next Virginia Leg
iSlaturc, it was announced yesterday
at the Office OF the Dairy and Food
Commission. SO steadily. and in some
cases obviously unreasOnably. have
prices of foods advanced that 1t is
deemed imperative that the State take
some action toward curbins the ten
dency of distributors to charge all that
the public will bear.
Under present laws there is no way
that food prices can be regulated by
the State government. In many States
statutes have been created basinE
prices of commodities to consumers
on the actual cost OF production and
distribution, not allowing for earnings
on watered stock and other noneSsen-
tails. 1t is such law as this that is
needed in Virginia, it is declared
Demand for such law grows pri-
marily out of the expressed purpose
OF milk distributors TO increase prices
to Is cents Z quart with the beginning
Of November. but there are also other
necessities whose prices will he reEu-
lated should the law become enec-
tive.
COSTS FARMERS ~ CENTS
TO PRODUCE GALLON
In the matter of milk prices. pro-
ducers are demanding a small increase
for their product. Distributors plead
that with the granting Of this increase
they Will be Obliged to charge probably
10 cents 20 consumers. They say that
the cost Of distribution with the pres
ent high price OF labor. plus the cost
Of collections, will keep their profits
TO Il low level. even with the increased
price. One Of the distributing COM
panies offers TO submit it's books to
the Food and Dairy Commission 20
show that it is operating at a mini
mum profit. Another company, how
ever says IL will go out of business
before allowing it's books to be cx-
anined by the commission. il is said.
The commission estimates that IL
costs 30 IL cents to produce n gallon
81 milk. The Dairymen's Associations
estimate is 33 cents. The commissions
estimate. however. does not include
veterinary fees or supervision by own
ers. The producers are asking an in
crease from 80 cents gallon 10 IS
cents gallon. distributors will ask
an additional % cents for distribution
and collection. bringing the cost 10
the consumer 20 so cents
DISTRIBUTION COST
DECLARED TOO HIGH
The commission thinks the cost Of
distribution much too high. and il
does not believe that the purchaser who
walks 70 the milk depot. buys his milk.
pays cash for il and takes il home
should he charged for tho distribution
70 others who do not. Milk. says The
commission. is a necessity to child
lie. It's price should be kept as low
as possible. it contends
One price for the purchaser who
has milk delivered and another for
the purchaser who comes to the dcpot
for 1t is recommendation Of the com
mission. This. says Commissioner pur-
cell, will obviatc the necessity FOR the
establishment Of milk stations" He
thinks, too. that further increase in
prices viii probably result in putting
milk distribution in the hands OF
grocers.