The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-11
ATGrsT II
.PR0F|TttR|NG BILL
TO Be PASSED SOON
Bonar Law Follows Hts Announcement
of Introduction Of Measure By De-
claring II Must Become Law
Before Recess,

London, Aug. 7.--Bonar Law. govern
ment leader. followed up his announce
ment in the house yesterday. regarding
the immediate introduction OF a bill
to stop profteering. by the statement
that the measure must be passed be-
fore recess The governments ap-
parently sudden decision came as a
surprise to the house and especially
to the select committee which had only
begun its inquiry into prohteering the
previous day.
To this committee, Sir Auckland Ged-
des. m lister of reconstruction,
yesterday explained that the govern
ment considered the situation regard
ing prices SO difficult that it would
he unwise and unsafe to attempt to
face parliamentary recess unless 1t
was armed to cope with 1t. When
asked whether il was proposed to rush
through a measure SO gigantic as that
described, before Friday week, Sir
Auckland observed that he had rever
believed that the house would adjourn
on that date.
The government, he said. is satisfied
that profiteering is sufficiently preva-
lent to justify the measures 1t has
decided on. but. like the food controller
On the previous day. he admitted that
there were other factors at work. such
as reduced production. and that great
part of the increase in prices was due
IN circumstances beyond the control
of individuals.
Sir Auckland explained the govern
fnent scheme to the select committee
in some detail Briefly II consists in
hestowing certain powers on the board
of trade and in creating. in addition.
svstem of local and county appeal
tribunals resembling those formerly
ao:~ed under the military service
act. The report Of the committee which
Investigated the question OF trusts Is
no tho basis OF action and In ac-
corAance with its recommendations the
arc OF trade Will be given powers re-
carding combinations and restraints on
teade. while the local tribunals will be
appointed under local chairmen of
experience and legal training.
These tribunals viii sit in panels
composed of individuals with knowl-
edge OF the case to be investigated
In this way the actual processes Of
production. from the arrival OF the
raw material to the point at which
the wholesaler sells to the retailer.
will be covered To complete the ma
chinery planned by the government.
retail tribunals will be established
throughout the country. with county
appeal tribunals. merged with the tri-
tuNdlS previously FfItETcU TO- ACtluk
as central tribunals for tho local tri-
bunals.
These latter will be composed - OF
PEOPLE Of standing. but with no special
legal knowledge and will examine
complaints Of nrofteering. with power
10 fine those found guilty up to about
twenty pounds, and to refer confirmed
or malicious cases to court OF sum
mary jurisdiction empowered to in
ffict sne mp TO .ea pounds with or
without imprisonment, not exceeding
six months. From both courts there
win be an appeal to a county tribunal
which will refer any question ~ ex-
cessive charges by a wholesaler to a
central tribunal
The government, Sir Auckland re-
marked. recognizes that the procedure
regarding local prohteering liz some
what rough and ready and II will have
to rely on the common sense of the
members Of the local tribunals. The
government he added. would not de-
fne profteering beyond saying that II
meant unreasonable profit
Replying to questions he said that
the appeal tribunals would have the
right to refer cases to central tri-
bunal He confessed that the provi-
sion against frivolous accusations OF
profiteering presented some difficulty.
tut pointed out that complaints would
he dism Used II no prima facie case
were presented Questioned further.
he expressed the opinion that external
control concerning trusts and COM
hinations in restraint Of trade will be