Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-11
TO LIMIT THE
RETAIL PRICES

The journal announced on Sat1r-
DAY the appointment of Joseph r.
Young OF Augusta as an agent for
the National Food Administration. to
&c connected with the Office of Leon
:. Merrill, the food administrator for
Maine DR.. Merrill has since an
nounced in regard to the appoint
ncrt that strict measures for the
regulation and limitation Of retail
prices in this state His statement
follows:
Definite measures TO limit retail
prices have been announced by the
Food Administration. Through the
medium Of standardized fair price
lists" TO DC published in practic3iiy
every county. large town and city in
the state, Foo,: Administration ofti :
Gals expect to protect the consumer
from unreasonable price advances.
BY keeping prices at uniform level,
the Food Administration VIII not only
protect the average buyer, but will
protect the patriotic merchant who
has followed its suggestions from
such dealers as who shall attempt to
, take advantage of the situation. }. 4.
Young of Augusta has been appointed
Director of Price Publication in this
state by Federal Food Administrator
Leon S. Merrill.
Under the direction of Mr.. Young
thero will be established in various
parts of the State price interpreting
committees composed Of representa-
49, rl1Y sol rat
consumers and the Food 1AGministra
ton. These Interpreting boards Will
ascertain fair retail prices en- the ba-
sic commodities that comprise a large
part Of the peoples diet. The pub
lisllcd lists will give the range Of
maximum selling prices - showing
reasonable low prices. which will re
fleet charges that should rule in cash
and carry stores. and a high price.
representing a fair charge at credit
and delivery shops.
"Tradcsmen on the boards will be
appointed by the trades and will
serve with a representative Of the
consuming interests, the legal Food
administration representative acting
IS chairman. Retail members of the
committee will represent both the
cash and carry and credit and de-
livery stores.
Each board will have detailed re-
ports of actual wholesale prices, and
will ascertain fair margins of profit
that should be made by the retailer.
Tho final fair prices will be widely
published. Newspapers in every city
Il
operate.
Consumers will be asked to report
to their Food administrator any
stores charging more than the an
nounced prices. Investigations of
these reports will give the Food -Ad-
ministration basis upon which to
work in separating the patriotic deal
er, from the profiteeE. Az indirect
control over the retah stores may be
exercises by cutting off supplies at
the source = instructing licensed
wholesale dealers to sever business
relations with the firms which exact
more than a reasonable charge.
Retail price reporters are being
appointed in every county. They are
expected to keep a close check upon
charges made at the stores and to re-
port to the local administrator all
dealers not keeping within the limits
prescribed in the fair price lists
whenever investigation shows that
any dealer has charged excessive
prices, the administrator will grant
hearing. If he cannot show just
cause for his failure to keep within
I no 1nn0urro1 nv hu inf
prctins boards, he will be punished.