The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-21
ATTORNEY
Continued from page -

General Palmer when he appeared be-
fore the house committee on agricul-
trre today to oppose the amendments
tr the food control act proposed by
Chairman Hangen. These amendments
provide for a drastic system of price
fixing, but specifically exempt farmers
ard farm organizations and merchants
doing an annual business Of less than
100000. n..5
The attorney also urged that
a similar exemption provision III the
original food control act be eliminated
In opposing the Haugen amendments
he insisted that the only additional
legislation needed is provided for in
the bin be submitted. This measure
would broaden the scope of the fooc
control act to include clothing anc con-
tanners Of foods. feeds and fertilizers
and fix specific penalties for proflteer-
ing.
Mr. Palmer declared he believed the
small dealers are to blame for the pre-
sailing high prices, just as much as,
il not more than big business He
left no doubt in the minds OF the con-
gressmen that ne intends to prosecute
both the big and little fellows" where
It Is found that unreasonable prices
are being exacted.
The existing and proposed exemp-
tons of farmers and farm organiza-
tons from federal action In cases OF
profiteering also were strongly opposed
by the attorney-general. He explained
however. that he saw no objection TO
/ provision permitting farmers to hold
products of their own farms until they
desire to dispose Of them.
After the committee had considered
Mr. Palmer's recommendations in
executive session for several hours.
Chairman Haugen announced that the
sttorney-generals views with regard
to elimination OF price fxing and ex-
emption OF retailers would be COM
Piled with. The exemption Of farmers
and farm organizations. however. Will
be retained. he said.
The attorney-Generals amendments
to the food control act, bringing
clothing and food, feed. and fertilizer
containers under federal regulation
end fixing a penalty for profiteer-
ing. Mr. Haugen added, were ap-
proved by the committee. The chair
nan hopes to be able to report out
the revised bill tomorrow.
Declaring that the entire food con-
troll act would be nothing more than
waste paper If the government can
Lot reach the retail gouger' Mr..
Palmer said:
The department of justice has
tail gougers than any other class.
We have found that thousands OF cor
ner stores are taking advantage OF
the situation to charge exorbitant
1rices, and this is what the people are
protesting against"
TT is important to get to work
quickly / thought 1t best to make
az few changes as possible, he said.
The department of Justice hopes
to reach the little retailer through
the fair price committees now being
established in every county IN the
country, the attorney-general SAID.
These committees will ma VIVA,
is a fair price in each community
te continued land we intend to base
cur court actions largely on their
findings.
II believe that il the department
can MAKE some CONSPICUOUS examples
OF the profiteers and 1t is realized that
the government means business. THO
present problem will be largely
solved"
Representative McCrate. of New
York. today introduced resolutioh
ca ling upon the encouragement 70
irform the house with full ana de-
tailed information with regard 10 the
operation OF the laws designed 10
prevent boarding and pronteerinE.
Off1cisl reports of seizures OF 1000
under The food control act from
August II to August IS, made oy
! nited States district attorneys to the
department OF justice show tina.
rearly 5000 900 eggs were seized
during this period.
Regarding the disposition OF the
seized foods Acknowledgement Palmer
today said that this would depend
upon the result Of decision by the
courts as to whether the foods were
boarded In violation OF the food con-
trl act. In case the courts do decide
tho foods will be sold BY the United
States mArshals