The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-06-28
TAKEN
TO STABILIZE
FOOD PRICES

/ DEFINITE measures to limit retail
/ prices have been announced by Food
Administrator Hebberd, through the
medium of standardized "fair price
lists" to be published in county
seats and in towns and cities of
2500 population or over. In such
counties Food Administration off
Gals expect to protect the consumer
from unreasonable price advances.
By bringing prices to a uniform
level, the Food Administration will
not only protect the average buyer,
but will also protect the patriotic
merchant who has followed its sug-
gestions from the unscruplous dealer
who has attempted to take advantage
of the situation.
In every county and in evry town
or city of more than $500 population,
the Food administration will estab-
lish price interpreting committees
composed of representatives of the
merchants, consumers and the Food
Administration. This interpreting
board will ascertain fair retail prices
on the basic commodities that COM
prise large part of the peoples
diet
Tradesmen on the boards will be
appointed by the trades and will
serve with a representative of the
consuming interests, the local Food
Administrator acting as chairman.
Each board will have detailed re-
ports of actual wholesale prices, and
viii ascertain fair margins of pro-
fit that should be made by the re-
taller. The final fair prices will be
widely published Newspapers in
every city and county will be asked
to cooperate, setting aside a par
ticular position in a prominent place
on the same day of each week, run
ming the lists with conspicuous head
lines and interesting footnotes on
the food problem and the use of
substitutes for the foods most need
ed abroad
Consumers will be asked to re-
port to their Food Administrator anv
stores charging more than the an
nounced prices. Investigations of
these reports will give the Food Ad-
mlnlstration a basis upon which to
work in separating the patriotic
dealer from the profiteer. An in
direct control over the retail stores
may be exercised by cutting off sup
pileS at the source--instructing IL
censed Wholesale dealers to sever
business relations with the firms
which exact more than reasonable
charge.
Retail price reporters are being
appointed in every county. Thew
are expected to keep a close check
upon charges made at the stores
and to report to the local admins
traitor all dealers not keeping with
IN the limits prescribed in the "fair
price lists"
wherever investigation shows that
any dealer has charged excessive
prices, the Administrator will grant
hearing. If he cannot show a
Just cause for his failure to keen
within the prices announced by the
interpreting boards, he will be pun
ished.
The Food Administration believes
that with the operation of this
standardized plan throughout the
country it can assure the consumers
that the price they pay represents
no more than cost of production
plus reasonable costs and profits of
necessary handlers. 1t has already
through its licensing system, put a
close check upon the various classes
not performing necessary function
IN moving in the shortest possible
time and with least expense from
the farm to the table.