The Washington herald., 1919-02-24
TRADE REVIVAL
OBJECT OF new
FEDERAL BOARD
Industrial Commission Will
Stimulate Business to Get
Jobs for Soldiers.
SEEKS MERCHANTS AID
Leading Employers Will Be
Consulted in Plan for
Trade Expansion.
SEEKS MERCHANTS AID

Through proper investigation
and stabilization, il is expected that
the foundation can be laid for the
resumption of American business
and for the furnishing of employ
ment to returning soldiers and
sailors-this through government
purchases, publication OF fair price
lists and cooperation of producers.
This statement was made yester-
day by Grosverner =. Clarkson, sec
retary of the Council of National
Defense. in announcing that the
council had been authorized by Sec
retary of Commerce Redfeld to an
nOunce the creation of The Indus
trial Board of the Department or
Commerce"
This board will be charged with
sterilization of prices for basic ma
terials to establish a foundation on
which the consumer can base his
future purchases and the producer
form necessary production cost cs-
Inmates.
Peek Named Chairman.
Personnel of the board. to number
six members. will be announced as
soon as acceptances are received. 1t
is already known that George n.
Peek. of Moline. Ill. formerly vice
chairman of the War Industries
Board, will be its chairman and that
labor will be represented by Hugh
Frayne. who was also on the War
Industries Board. and the govern
ment by Thomas c. Powell, director
of capital expenditures of tthe Rail-
road Administration.
The board will seek an inter
change of views in the fullest man
ner possible. with the hope that a
general agreement may be reached
on prices and bases for prices at
which sales will be made that will
induce the nation to begin buying
program.
Ia this way, it is hoped. the law
OF supply and demand can be brought
into play. for, Secretary Redfield
said. 1t cannot be too strongly en-
phasized that the proposal that the
government shall cooperate in the de-
tcrmining OF fair prices on basic
commodities and in stabilizing these
prices through government purchases
is in no sense a price fixing program.
No one will be under any sort OF
Compulsion to adhere TO the price
schedules arrived at. II a producer
can find a market for his wares at a
higher price. no one can prevent his
being free TO avail himself of it. II
a consumer is able to buy below these
prices. it will be his privilege to do so.
In substance, we propose to bring
capital, labor and the government into
common counsel together around one
table and with one purpOee-to do the
best possible for the country"
The vital need of the situation is
resumption of. Industrial activity to
the fullest extent possible" said Mr..
Clarkson. and IT should be the aim
to find the wisest and most effective
way to accomplish this.
Higher Selling Prices.
1T is felt that the proper basis OF
selling prices for the present will be
found to be upon a scale considerably
higher than those of the pre-war
days. However. the level should be
esta ablished on as low a plane as pos
sible. having due regard to INDUSTRY
labor and government. II Is believed
that the reductions from the high
prices to the proper level so that con-
sumers may be justified in buying
should he made at once by reduction
Industry and labor have a mutual
interest in remedying present condi-
tions. but industry should take the
first step by the reduction of prices
and commodities and should require
of labor as little aid as possible"