The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-04-05
COMMISSION NAMED TO
FIX CONTROL OF NEAT
Policy May Include Price-Fixing and
Federal Control of the Pack
ing Houses.

lioH Ol natlOnal pOnCy governing
meat production, sale and distribu-
tion during the war, which may in
clude virtual price-fixing and definite
control or actual federal operation
of the big packing houses, has been
entrusted by President Wilson to a
special commission of five prominent
government officials.
This step was taken at the recon-
mendation of Food Administrator
Hoover. who advised the President
that he found himself powerless to
protect properly all branches of the
cattle industry. and that the gov
ernment's present course is almost
intolerable in criticism from both
producer and consumer"
The food administrators suggested.
and President Wilson now has ap-
proved the plan, that a national poll
cy be determined by the following
officers. acting personally or through
authorized delegates; the secretary
of agriculture, representing the view
point OF the producer; the chairman
of the federal trade commission, re-
presenting the influence Of trade con-
ditions; the chairman of the United
States tariff board, representing
economic thought; the secretary of
labor, representing the viewpoint OF
the civilian consumer. and the food
administrator, wAo has to carry out
any plan adopted.
Mr.. Hoover submitted his proposal
to the President in letter. he de-
clared some change in the govern
ments present course was necessary
for the protection Of the producer ana
civilian consumer, and to insure the
increased production required to
meet the growing needs OF the army
and the allies.
This change in policy may take
the form of more definite and syste-
matte direction of the large packers
as to the course they are to pursue
from month to month" wrote the ad-
ministrator, "or may even take the
form of operation of the packing es-
adjustments by the government"
Pointing out that the increased
quantities needed for export must be
obtained either by greater production
or by reduction in civilian consump-
tion, and probably by both, Mr.. Hoo
IA
duced consumption can be had most
equitably by voluntary sacrifice and
moderate restraints such as meatIess
days, and emphatically disapproved
any attempt to lessen consumption
by increasing prices to the public.
Such conservation is obtained by
the elimination OF that section of the
community with the least purchasing
power" he wrote the President.
Il recognize fully the well-founded
objection to price-ixing but where
the purchases OF war necessities in
a given commodity have reached
such a volume that the purchase of
these commodities trench into the do.
nestle situation, the operation of
this purchasing power becomes a
condition of price-fxing, and. to my
mind, all theories go by the board >"
Mr.. Hoover said three courses were
open in the matter of the control of
meats: to abandon direction of war
purchases and conservation measures
because they affect price and there
by to stimulate prolteering and spec
ulation.
To continue the present unsatis-
factory direction of large purchase or
TO stabilize prices based upon cost of
production at a fair and stimulativs
profit TO the producer ana with sta
biIiIation to eliminate speculative
risks and wasteful practices
The latter policy. Mr.. Hoover said
would support in assuring the pro
ducer fair returns.
This course is also fraught with
dangers" he argued. sit lead either
to a voluntary agreement with the
packers as to prices to be paid pro-
ducers and charged to consumers
from time to time! or, to actual op-
Grafton of the packing plants by the
government
1T will mean that all the com
plants of trade fall upon the gov
ernment. The choice of alternatives