Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-08-14
life and Industry are to be restored.

.
sionaL There can be no settled condl-
ton here or elsewhere until the treaty
OF peace is out OF the way and the
work OF liquidatng the war has be-
come the chief concern OF our govern
ment and OF the other governments OF
the world.
Europe win not. cannot recoup her
capital or put her restless. distracted
peoples TO work until she knows exact
ly where she stands in respect to
peace; and what we will do is for her
the chief question upon which her quiz
etude OF mind and confidence Of pur-
pose depends. While there is any pos
ability that the peace terms may be
changed or may be held long in abey-
| ance, or may not be enforced because
OF divisions of opinion amor the pow
ers associated against Germany, it is
ldle 70 look for permanent relief
immediate Relief Measures.
BY way Of Immediate relief. surplus
stocks of both food and clothing in the
hands OF the government viii be sold and
or course sold at prices at which there
Is no profit And by way OF a more per-
inanent correction of prices surplus
stocks In private hands win be drawn out
OF storage and put upon the market For
/ tunately under the terms of the food-con-
| troll act the boarding OF foodstuffs can
be checked and prevented, and they Will
De, with the greatest energy Foodstuffs
can be drawn out of storage and sold by
legal action which the department of
justice VIII institute wherever necessary.
nut as soon as the situation Is systemau-
cally dealt with It is not likely that the
courts VIII often have to be resorted to.
Much OF the accommodating Of stocks has
no doubt been due to the sort of specu-
lation which always results from uncer-
tainty.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
l would also recommend that It be
required that all goods destined for in
ttrstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes IL
possible be plainly marked with the
price at which they left the hands OF
the producer. such a requirement
would bear close analogy TO certain
provisions Of the pure food act. by which
Il is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packages OF foods and drugs
ANA IL does not seem TO me that we
could contne ourselves to detailed
measures Of this kind If it is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
Of the processes of distribution
take IL for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
Will suffice. We need not hesitate TO
tonal way We should go beyond the
measures l have suggested. We should
formulate law requiring federal
license of all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying I'm
the license, or in the conditions under
which II Is to be issued specific reeu-
lations designed TO secure competitive.
seIllng ana prevent unconscionable
profits in the method OF marketing
A ~
such a law would afford welcome OPP
portunty TO effect other much-needed re-
forms In the business Of interstate ship
ment and In the methods of corporations
which are engaged IN it; but for the mo-
ment l conflne my recommendations to the
object Immediately in hand. which is to
lower the cost OF living
We are dealing gentlemen OF the con-
gress, ! need hardly say with very critical
ana very difficult matters. We should 20
forward with confidence along the road
we see, but we should also seek to COM
prehend the whole of the scene amidst
which we act. There is no ground for
some of the fearful forecasts / hear ut
tered about me, but the condition OF the
world is unquesionaby very grave and
we should face II comprehendngly. The
situation of our own country Is excep-
uenately fortunate. We Of all peoples
can afford 10 keep our heads and TO de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses OF action which win insure us
against the passions and distempers which
are WORKING such deep unhappiness for
some of the distressed nations on the
other side Of the sea.
But we may be involved IN their dis
tresses unless we help, and help with en-
ergy and Intelligence
Disregardug the surplus stock I'm the
hands of the government. there was a
greater supply OF foodstrfs In this conn
try on June ! of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to-
tai or a number OF the most important
foods In dry and cold storage the excess
Is quite 10 per cent. And yet prices have
risen.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
careful study OF the situation 40 n
whole and of the laws that can be an
Piled TO better II ana Is convinced that.
under the stimulation and termination Of
exceptional circumstances combinations
OF producers and combinations of tradars
have been formed for the control OF sun
plies and OF prices which are clearly in
restraint OF trade, and against these pros
eenuons VIII be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which viii in all l1yeH-
hood have a prompt corrective effect
There Is reason 60 believe that the nripag
i leather or coal, OF lumber and OF tex
es have been materially affected hv
lorrs OF concert and cooperation among
re producers ana marketers OF these and
8 er universally necessary commodities
len It win be possible TO redress. No
hful or energetic effort viii be
20 accomplish this necessary re-
4E' trust that there viii not be mann,
asses I'm which prosecution viii be neces.
sary, Public action win no doubt rause
many who have perhaps unwlttinrIy
adopted Illegal methods 20 abandon tbf-p
promptly and Of their own morton.
Retailers in Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt thar retail
e~s are in pUrt-sometimes In large
2 art-respons,b Tor exorbitant prices.
and IL is quite practicable for the gov |
eminent through the agencies / have |
mentioned 10 supply the public with
rturf tiou as 20 the prices IN
re- hrs buy and as 60 the costs I
aspo iation they pay I'm order
'h SO uHr be known just what mar /
tH -uHi they are demanding. DpIp- |
1H Wa certed action on the part OF 4
hHt can probably do the rest
rse in the FIRST place. that 1