The Washington herald., 1918-07-27
WORKERS VISIT
WILSON
PROFITEERING
D. C, Food Head Evades
Direct Answers to Com
mittee Questions.

mIttee I Questions.
Clarence R. Wilson. District food
administrator, evaded giving a di-
rect answer to all questions asked
him yesterday by the committee Of
the National Federation Of Federal
Employees and allied organizations.
The committee, which is investi-
eating profiteering and the high cost
iof living in Washington, called on
Mr.. Wilson to find out IL possible
how profiteering in food could be
eliminated.
The discussion drifted into a desul-
tory discussion of many points in
the general situation. none of which
were cleared UP.
Mr.. Wilson was asked II his powers
were sufficient to enable him to stop
profiteering. In a variety of ways
Mr.. Wilson slipped out Of directly
answering the question.
He was asked IL there was prof.
teering in the District. He admitted
, there was some.
He was asked how he knew when
a fnan was profiteering. 1t was shown
that man was profteering when
he exceeded the fafr-price list.
he Fair Prices.
How did he know that the fair
Price list was fair? He was sure
|, IT was. as he compiled it each week
with a committee of wholesale and
Ietail grocers and three women con-
sumers.
The one fact admitted was that
no method of estimating overhead
expenses in the grocery business has
been discovered by the District food
administration, except that of ask
ing the interested grocers.
The fair price list issued once a week
Is made up by local wholesale and Ie-
tail grocers and consumers. accord
ing to Mr.. Wilson. The price set Is
the maximum, higher than which no
man may sell goods 1t Is Agured out
Tn the wholesale price plus cost of
handling or overhead charges, plus a
fair profit
The committee of the National Fed
GRAFTON who were seeking to discover
the underlying causes of the prevail
ing high prices in Washington ex-
pressed their appreciation of Mr.. Will
sons efforts and their desire to CO.
operate with him. The matter of over
mead charges was thoroughly consid-
cred.
Overhead Costs.
Assuming that the price between
wholesaler and producer Is fair" said
Thomas H. ]. Quinn, OF the Fedora
ton, granting that a fair profit is
determined by wholesaler and retailer,
consumer and food administration the
only other element tha' can enter into
the admittedly high price In Washing
ton Is the price held by the retailer
as the cost of operation, that is. the
cost Of doing business. This figure
neither the local food administration
nor our committee Is able to deter
mine.''
John s. Beach acted as Spokesman N
Of the committee. He is acting presi-
dent Of the National Federation of
Federal Employees.
why Fish are High.
Mr.. Beach then inquired why sea
bass were 100 per cent higher than
last year. Fish were also sold as
a cheap fertilizer in some places on
the bay, he had been told.
The answer to this question was
easy, according to Mr.. Wilson. The
fishermen had gone to war, while
refrigerator cars for shipping were
also scarce. The demand was also
increased.
Fayors Zone System.
Mr.. Wilson was willing to be
quoted as being in favor of the zone
system in the distribution of milk
a
probable. in answer to the question
of B. W. Payne, that the, commu-
nifty could be educated to accept>the
innovation.
Mr.. Wilson was asked IL the fair
price list was fair.
He answered that II was, gen
The elaborate system of credit
and delivery built. up in Washing
ton during the past years was also
discussed. A radical change in this
will be accomplished in the future,
the Food Administration hopes. A
uniform minimum delivery charge
OF cents will be paid to induce
people to carry home their pur-
chases.
The weltering mass of population
IN Washington. living in a helter-
skeiter way. is responsible for food
conditions here" said Mr. wilson
The population Is less exacting than
settled community would be-
For Community Center Markets.
Mr.. Wilson also advocated the COM
munity center markets. and urged the
committee to use and endorse such
markets. or TO start one Of their own.
In conclusion. Mr.. Wilson expressed
his thanks to the committee for COM
ing to see him about prices, and hoped
he would receive their aid in the
fnture.
Before the beginning Of the discus
sion Mr.. Wilson gave an elaborate
history Of the Federal Food Adsnin-
Istration and the world need which
brought il into existence