The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1919-08-14

: sress. I need hardly say. with very critical
4 and very din1cult mstters We should 20
= FORWARD with confidence along the road
= we see. but we should also seek TO COM
3 prebend the whole OF the scene amidst
D winch we act There Is 90 ground for
some or the fearful forecasts | hear Ut
Tered about me. but the condition OF The
word Is unquestionably very grave ard
We should face "a c0mprebendlngiy The
SITUATION OF our own country Is excep-
uonately fortunate. We Or all peoples
can AFFORD 10 keep our heads and 10 de-
teihlne upon moderate and sensible
courfes OF action which viii insure u
against the passions aud disfempers which
are working such deep unhappiness for
some OF the distressed nations on the
other side or the sea
But We may be involved IN their dis
tresses unless We help. and help with en-
ersy and intelligence
Disregardins the surplus stock IN the
hands or the government there was a
greater supply OF foOdstuns In this c0un-
| ny on June OF this year than al the
same date last year In the combined to-
TAI or number Of the most important
foods IN dry and cold storage the excess
Is quite ~ per cent And yet prices nave
risen
/
June OF this year. for example, was
greater by nearly 10 per cent than the
supply on hand az the same time last
year and yet the Wholesale price OF eggs /
was 20 cents dozen, as against 30 cents /
year ago. The stock OF frozen fowls /
had Increased more than 2ss per cent. and |
yet the prices had risen also from 2ilz
cents per pound 70 s7ik cents The supply
OF creamery butter had increased 10 per
cent ana the price from Al 70 90 cents per
pound. The supply OF salt beef had been
augmented per cent and the price had
gone up from t54 barrel 10 $50 a barrel
tanned corn had increased IN stock near
~ & per cent and had remained sub
stantially the same In price
Few Price Drops Not Enough.
In a few foods-afs the prices had de-
clined. but In hsthing like the proportion |
IN which the supply had Increased For
example the stock OF canned tomatoes
mad Increased i02 per cent. and yet the
price had declined only 25 cents per
dozen cans. la some cases there had
been the usual result OF an increase OF
price following a decrease OF supply but ,
In almost every instance the Increase of !
price had been disproportionate TO the 1
decrease In stock 7
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
whole and OF the laws that can be ap-
piled 10 better II and Is convinced that,
uhder the stimulation and temptation OF =
exceptional circumstances. combinations /.
OF producers and combinations OF traders !.
have been formed for the control Of sup +"
plies and OF prices which are clearly in -
restraint OF trade. and against these pros =.
'cutions VIII be promptly Instituted and -
actively pushed which will Ia all Ikeli- :.
rood have prompt corrective effect. =
mere Is reason 10 believe that the prices .,
n leather. OF coal. OF lumber and OF tex %
lies have been materially affected by q. ..
orms or concert and cooperation among "
he producers and marketers OF these and -,
her universally necessary commodities 81
which II will be possible TO redress No u
'atchful or energetic effort viii be -
pared to accomplish this necessary re- &c
ut trust that there Will not be many '"
ases In which prosecution viii be neces- -
airy. Public action win no doubt cause re
lany who have perhaps unwittingly ~
dopted Illegal methods TO abandon them ~
romptly and OF their own motion WI
Publicity viii Do Much. tn
And publicity can accomplish great WI
.aL The purchaser can often take care
himself II he knows the facts and in
iences he Is dealing with, and purchas- !
s are not disinclined TO do anything, ell ha
Ter singy or collectively. that may be OF
'cessary for their self-protection pu
The department OF commerce. the col
partment OF agriculture. the depart no
ent Of labor and the federal trade L
mm!ssion can do great deal toward cot
pplying the public systematically DEL
a at short intervals. with informa- ful
IN regarding the actual supply OF on
rtcular commodities that is in ex- Sei
ence and available with regard to pro
pplies which are In existence but not lnt
IN regard to the methods OF price FIX PEG
hffaft txa4.
tain foodstufs and other necessities wiz
Retailers in Part 10 Blame. /
There can be little doubt that retail our
are in part-sometimes in large mer
for exorbitant prices. pie.
II Is quite practicable for the gov tina
ment through the agencies have tent
ntioned. 10 supply the public with the
information as to the prices at A
ieh retailers buy and as TO the costs Keel
transportation they pay IN order ery'
{ IL may be known lust what mar stan
OF profit they are demanding Opln- else
and concerted action on the part OF thot
chasers can probably do the rest. natl
Congress Must Supply Funds. he
hat Is. these agencies may perform this cises
spensahle service provided the con
- viii supply them with the neces-
: funds to prosecute their Inquiries
Keep their price lists up to date trem
lcrto the appropriation committees OF pres
house have not always. I fear. seen thou
fuil value OF these Inquiries. and the their
'ftments and commissions have been true
much straitened Tor means to rem strik
this service. That adequate funds be are
'ided by appropriation for this pur- not
. ana provided as promptly as pos ever,
= Is one OF the means Of greatly Tn
liorating the present distressing con- thina
ms of livelihood that 7 come 20 urge. or In
his attempt to concert with you the with
WAYS 10 serve the country In this railw
kehcy. count
Is one % the absolutely necessary We
- underlying many others and can tressl
lppieu AZ Once Twins
re Nts many other WAYS Existing TO CO
Is inadequate. There are many per- Tn.
= legitimate methods BY which the 20 n,
-nment can exercise restraint and tyv.s,
nee - -,
me urge. in the first place. that 49,
present foodstun control act should -,
t,uded both a. to the period OF time -,