Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1919-08-15

ly where she stands in respect to
peace; and what we will do is for her
the chief question upon which her uui-
etude OF mind and confidence of pur-
pose depends. While there is any DOS
ABILITY that the peace terms may he
changed or may be held long in abey-
ance, or may not be enforced because
OF divisions of opinion among the DOW
ers associated against Germany, il is
IDLE TO look for permanent relief.
Immediate Relief Measures.
BY way of immediate relief, surplus
STOCKS or both food and clothing in the
hands of the government will be sold and
OF course sold at prices at which there
Is no profit And by way of a more ner
manent correction of prices surnIus
stocks In private hands will be drawn ont
OF storage and put upon the market For
tunately under the terms of the food-con-
troi act the boarding of foodstuffs can
De 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
Jusuce Will institute wherever necessary:
but as soon as the situation is systemati,
caily dealt with it is not likely that the
courts will often have to be resorted to
Mucn 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.
would also recommend that 1t be
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes a.
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
II Is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packages of foods and drugs.
Ana 1t does not seem to me that we
couIo connne ourselves to detailed
measures Of this kind, IL 1t is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
OF the processes of distribution.
take 1t for granted that that is orr
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
VIII suff1ce. We need not hesitate ia
handle q national question in a ma
tional way. We should go beyond the
measures I have suggested. We should
formulate law requiring a federal
Incense or all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodyinR IN
the license. or in the conditions under
which 1t is to be issued. specific regu-
lations designed to secure competitive
selIlng and prevent unconscionable
profits In the method of marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
Such a law would afford a welcome on
portunlty 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 confine my Recommendation 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 90
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 Internationally very grave and
we should face 1t comprehendingly The
SITUATION OF our own country Is excep-
tonateiy fortunate. We of all peoples
can anord to Keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses OF action which will insure us
against the passions and dist mpers 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 helm with en-
ergy and intelligence.
Disregarding the surplus stock in the
hanos or the government, there was
greater supply of foodstuffs in this coun-
try on June Of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to-
tai OF 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
a careful study of the situation as a
whole and of the laws that can be ap-
pied to better 1t and is convinced that,
under the stimulation and temptation of
exceptional circumstances combinations
or producers and combinations of traders
nave been formed for the control of sup
pies and of prices which are clearly in
restraint OF trade, and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which will in all iikeli-
hood have a prompt corrective effect.
There Is reason to believe that the prices
OF leather, of coal, of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected by
forms of concert and corporation among
the producers and marketers of these and
other universally necessary commodities
which 1t will be possible to redress. No
watchful or energetic effort will be
spared to accomplish this necessary re-
suit. l trust that there will not be many
cases in which prosecution will be neces-
sary Public action will no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwittingly
adopted illegal methods to abandon them
promptly and of their own motion.
The department of commerce. the
department of agriculture, the depart
ment OF labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal toward
supplying the public systematically
and at short intervals. with informa-
ton regarding the actual supply of
particular commodities that is in ex-
istenee and available with regard to
supplies which are in existence but not
with regard to the methods of price fix
ing which are being used by dealers in
certain foodstuffs and other necessities.
Retailers In Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
ers are in part-sometimes in large
part-responsible for exorbitant prices
and 1t Is quite practicable for the gov
eminent through the agencies I have
mentioned. to supply the public with
full information as to the prices at
which retailers buy and as to the costs
of transportation they pay in order
that II may be known just what mar
gin OF profit they are demanding. Opin-
Ion and concerted action on the part OF
purchasers can probably do the rest
Let me urge. In the first place. that
the present foodstuf control act should
be extended both as to the period of time
during which N ahau rnmatr a., oxo..4Io-