Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-11
Combine to Get the proiltcer

EFT Richmond resolve itself into a COM
IL mittee of the whole to assist the local
food administration. Let each citizen take
upon his own shoulders a part OF the COM
mon responsibility Of ferreting out the food
profteers and seeing that Justice is admin
istered promptly. In no other way can prices
be brought down quickly to Il legitimate war
time basis, the people Aprotected in their
necessary expenditures for lifes necessities,
and the honest dealers freed from any odium
that might attach to their calling through
the selfish and disloyal operations OF those
merchants who put the dollar above pa
triotsm.
The local food administration has asked
for the cooperation of Richmond people gen.
orally and it is entitled to their heartiest
assistance, particularly as it is for their own
protection it is working. Unless it is given,
1t is hopeless to expect that the situation here,
which has become aggravated, can be cleared
up Immediately and thoroughly. 1t is pointed
out. and justly, that the people help to
make the work successful by their own close
observance of all food regulations and by
using their influence in the immediate circle
OF their acquaintance TO secure patriotic
compliance on the part OF others This done,
they should report violations Of food rules,
where the violators are defiant and refuse
to amend their ways, to the food admnistra-
ton for its further action. If this method
of procedure be faithfully carried out, few
proiteers will escape public indignation and
censure. and punishment at the hands OF the
duly constituted authorities.
Richmond people have just cause for COM
plant and their complaint has been voiced
by The Times-Dispatch. They have been
gouged and gouged until it has seemed that
they could bear more. But, after all, COM
planning among themselves and their neigh
bors can do the consumers little real good.
Hereafter let there be concerted and methodi-
cal action. with cool and deliberate intent to
bring about the desired results. Let each
one determine within himself that when he
believes he has just grievance he will not
exhaust his complaint in words but will trace
1t to it's source, demand rectifcation and,
failing to receive it, report the case to the
food administration. If this course is fol-
lowed with grocers. market men, restaurants
and all other places where food is sold to
the consumer, there should follow quickly
marked change for the better in local cost-of-
living conditions.
1t is not to be expected that food officials
can have cognizance of every overcharge in
this large and busy territory unless specific
and detailed complaints are lodged with them
Even with Il far greater force of trained in
vestigators than is now provided, the burden
Of general charges would be too much for
them TO handle. But if aggrieved buyers
will use irJjudgment, secure the vital fac
tors OF times. names and places, there should
be no difficulty i'll securing speedy invcstiga-
tion and equally speedy punishment. The
food administration has announced that its
new enforcement machinery is in readiness
and from this time forth there is reason to
believe that the path Of the Richmond
prohteer will be thorny one to travel. 1t
will be If the consumers will cooperate with
facts and deeds rather than an objectless be-
waiins over conditions which it is within
their province and loyal duty to assist in
remedying.