The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-28
CONTRACTS BAR TO
LOWERED PRICES
Flash, Back From Washing
ton, Tells of Reception Ac-
corded Resolutions.

Edward Flash. Jr.. president OF the
New York Produce Exchange. was back
on the exchange yesterday after a two
days stay In Washington, where he
placed In the hands OF Joseph =. Tum-
ulty. the Presidents secretary. the reso-
lutions adopted by the exchange men,
bers petitioning President wilson to put
a stop to fixing prices and to remove
restrictions on foodstufs
Mr.. + lash gave copies OF the rcsolu-
lions to Theodore Whitmnrsh, the acting
head of the Food Administration Judge
Glasgow. counsel for the Food Admins
tration. and to the Assistant Secretary
OF Agriculture. He also had long talks
With Senator's Calder and Wadsworth
and Representative Gould and others,
telling them just what the men in the
trade think OF the urgent necessity OF
getting American business back on q
supply and demand basis.
Question Being Considered.
Mr.. Flash said last evening: "I found
that the subject. as covered In our petit
ton. was receiving much attention and
thought by the Food Administration and
among the members of both houses OF
ConSreRa
Judge Glasgow. with whom I had a
long talk said in eject that he thought
the petition was most fair, very com
prehensive and ably expressed. lie felt
in sympathy with the objects set forth,
but he said the Food Administration is
confronted with the fact that they had
agreements with hog growers AID pack
ers and couldn't honorably break or
modify these agreements.
IT am satisfied that the Views ot the
Produce Exchange, "a contained in It's
petition, are thoroughly known in Wash
ington by this time. There seems TO be
a general idea that they want to do
something along the lines suggested as
soon as possible without breaking agree
ments.
several men with whom I conferred
thought that price fixing and restrio-
lions in the matter OF foodstufs should
be stopped and that equitable ADJUST
ments should be made"
The so-called hog price fixing commit
tee, whose activities have aroused Nigor-
GUS criticism and condemnation all over
the country. will meet In Washington TO-
day 70 put u price on hogs for February.
II was because OF this announced pro-
gramme that members Of tho Produce
Exchange, as individuals. and members
Of the Chicago Board Of Trade sent peti-
tons to Thomas w Gregory. Attorney
General OF the United States. 70 prevent
any further arbitrary price fixing II he
can.
Agreement 10 Continue.
Despite these and similar protests
from other trade exchanges II Is eN-
Jected the price fixing agreement will be
continued. The January minimum price
OF $3.50 a hundredwe!ght will be main
tained during February. many believe.
A report from Chicago yesterday was
to the effect that Clarence barrow. the
lp wyer, will represent Western men AT
tho hog meeting and demand price Of
IL cents "A pound.
A private wiro from Chicago yester-
day said:
Local traders believe - cent hogs
arc coming, and the February p-'ca Of
III cents will be the last Packers
seem alarmed IIoover's statement !s
not simple or direct. He wants prices
spported. hut does not explain how Eu-
rope can buy at our ridiculous price
levels. He seems 10 think the farmers
profits arr in danger, The European
demand will be drasucally below any
thing that has been anticipated Farm
profits are OF course enormous lie
talks OF need TO open wider markets for
United States foods, lie does not men
ton the sbsurdity or current United
States living prices and the present trade
reaction. His talk somewhat resembles
an apology"