The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-08-14

8TcoS, l uoeO 06IQLy D8ys WIN N0ry UHtSsCA
and very difIicult matters. We should e
forward with confidence along the roac
we see, but we should also seek to com
prehend the whole of the scene amidst
which we act. There il no ground fol
some of the fearful forecasts ! hear ut
tered about me, but the condition of the
world is unQuestionably very grave anc
we should face 1t comprehendingly. The
situation of our own country Is excep'
tionately fortunate. We of all peoples
can AFFORD to keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses of action which will insure us
against the passions and distempers which
are working such deep unhappiness for
some of the distressed nations on the
o her side of the sea.
But we may be involved in their dis
tresses unless we help. and help with en-
ergy and Intelligence.
Disregarding the surplus stock In the
hands of 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 a number. of the most important
foods in dry and cold storage the excess
is quite 10 per cent And yet prices have
risen.
The supply OF fresh eggs on hand in
June of this year. for example. was
greater by nearly 10 per cent than the
supply on hand at the same time last
year. and yet the Wholesale price of eggs
was 40 cents a dozen. as against 30 cents
year ago. The stock of frozen fowls
had increased more than 29S per cent. and
yet the prices had risen also from 341s
cents per pound to 37il cents. The supply
of creamery butter had increased 12s per
cent and the price from II to IS cents per
pound. The supply of salt beef had been
augmented per cent and the price had
gone up from S34 barrel to $50 barrel.
Canned corn had increased In stock near
M t..I nsr,.1 h
stantially the same In price.
Few Price Drops Not Enough.
In a few foodstuffs the prices had de-
clned. but in nothing like the proportion
in which the supply had increased. For
example. the stock of canned tomatoes
had increased 1902 per cent. and yet the
price had declined only rs cents per
dozen cans. In some cases there had
been the usual result of an increase of
price following decrease of supply. but
in almost every instance the Increase of
price had been disproportionate to the
decrease In stock.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
a careful study of the situation as q
whole and of the laws that can be APP
piled to better It and is convinced that.
under the stimulation and temptation of
of producers and combinations of traders
have been formed for the control of sup
plies 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 likeli-
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 cooperation 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. 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.
Publicity VIII Do Much.
And publicity can accomplish a great
deal. The purchaser can often take care
of himself II he knows the facts and in
fiuences he Is dealing with. and purchas-
ers are not disinclined to do anything ell
Their singly or collectively. that may be
necessary for their self-protection.
The department of commerce. the
department of agriculture. the depart
ment OF labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal tow9rd
supplying the public systematically
ton regarding the actual supply of
particular commodities that Is in ex-
istence and available with regard to
supplies which are in existence but not
with regard to the methods of price nx-
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 II is quite practicable for the gov
eminent through the agencies 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 1t 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.
Congress Must Supply Funds.
That is, these agencies may perform this
indispensable service provided the con-
gross will supply them with the neces-
sary funds to prosecute their inquiries
and keep their price lists up to date.
Hitherto the appropriation committees of
the house have not always, I fear. seen
departments and commissions have been
very much straitened for means to rem
der this service. That adequate funds be
provided by appropriation for this pur-
pose, and provided as promptly as pos
sible, is one of the means of greatly
amelioratinE the present distressing con-
ditions of livelihood that come to urge.
in this attempt to concert with you the
best ways to serve the country in this
emergency.
1t Is one of the absolutely necessary
means. underlying many others. and can
be supplied at once.
There are many otner ways. Existing
law is Inadequate. There are many per-
fectly legitimate methods by which the
government can exercise restraint and
guidance.
Let me urge. in the first place. that
the present foodstun control act should
be extended both as to the period of time
during which 1t shall remain in operation
and to the commodities to which it
shall apply.
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