The patriot., 1919-08-15

! peace; and what we will do is for her
the chief question upon which her qui-
etude of mind and confidence of pur-
pose depends. While there is any pos
ability that the peace terms may be
changed or may be held long in abey-
ance. or may not be enforced because
or divisions of opinion among the pow
ers associated against Germany it is
idle to look for permanent relief
Immediate Relief Measures.
By way of immediate relief, surplus
stocks OF both food and clothing in the
hands of the government will be sold and
OF course sold at prices at which there
is no profit. And by way of more per-
manent correction of prices surplus
stocks in private hands will be drawn out
! OF storage and put upon the market For
tunately under the terms of the food-con-
troll act the boarding of foodstuffs can
be checked and prevented, and they will
be. with the greatest energy. Foodstuffs
can be drawn out of storage and sold by
legal action which the department of
| justice will institute wherever necessary:
but as soon as the situation is systemati-
cally dealt with it is not likely that the
courts will often have to be resorted to-
| Much OF the accommodating of stocks has
no doubt been due to the sort of specu-
lation which always results from uncer-
| tainty.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
/ would also recommend that 1t be
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes it
| possible be plainly marked with the
| price at which they left the hands of
| the producer. Such. a requirement
| would bear close analogy to certain
| provisions of the pure food act, by which
1t is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
| packages of foods and drugs.
And it does not seem to me that we
could confine ourselves to detailed
measures of this kind. if it is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
OF the processes of distribution.
take 1T for granted that that is our
| purpose and our duty. Nothing less
| viii suffice. We need not hesitate to
handle national question in a ma
tional way. We should go beyond the
measures have suggested. We should
formulate law requiring a federal
| license OF all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying in
| the license, or in the conditions Under
which 1t is to be issued specific regu-
iations designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent uncomfortable
profits in the method of marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
such law would afford welcome op-
| portunity to effect other much-needed re-
forms in the business of interstate ship
ment and in the methods of corporations
which are engaged in 1t; but for the mo-
ment conf1ne my recommendations to the
object Immediately in hand. which is to
lower the cost of living
we are dealing, gentlemen OF the con-
gress, need hardly say, with very critical
aho very dinicult matters. We should go
forward with confidence along the road
we see but we should also seek to COM
prehend the whole OF the scene amidst
Wnich we act. There is no ground for
some OF the fearful forecasts 1 hear ut
tered about me, but the condition of the
world ts unquestionably very grave and
we should face it .comprehendingly. The
siteation OF our own country is excep-
ionateiy fortunate. We of all peoples
can anord to keep our heads and to de-
terynine upon moderate and sensible
courses or action which win insure us
against the passions and distempers which
are working such deep unhappiness for
some OF the distressed nations on the
other 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
hanos or the government. there was a
greater supply of foodstuffs in this cour-
try on June ] of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to-
tai OF number of the most important
ioods IN dry and cold storage the excess
is quite 70 per cent. And yet prices have
risen.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
careful study of the situation as a |
whole and of the laws that can be ap- |
piled 10 better 1t and is convinced that. |
under the stimulation and Temptation Of |
exceptional circumstances, combinations |
OF producers and combinations of traders |
nave been formed for the control of sup
phes ana OF prices which are clearly in |
restraint of trade, and against these pros
ecutions viii be promptly instituted and |
actveiy pushed which will in all Iikeli- |
nooo nave prompt corrective effect. |
Inere is reason to believe that the prices |
OF leather, of coal, of lumber and OF tax
tiles have been materially affected by /
forms OF concert and cooperation among I
tne producers and marketers of these and |
other universally necessary commodities
which 1t will be possible to redress. No /
watchful or energetic effort win be
spared to accomplish this necessary re-
SUIT l trust that there will not be many 1
cases In which prosecution will be neces-
sary. Public action viii no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwittingly
auoptcu Htesat methods to abandon them |
promptly and of their own motion.
The department OF commerce. the
department of agriculture, the depart-
ment OF labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal toward
supplying the public systematically
and at short intervals. with informa-
ton regarding the actual supply of
particular commodities that is in ex-
istence and available wfth-vregard TO
supplies which are in existence but mot
with regard to the methods of price fix-
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.
ana it is quite practicable for the gov
ernment through the agencies have
mentioned. to supply the public with
full information as to the prices ~
which retailers buy and az to the costs
of transportation they gay In order
That Il may be known just what mar
Ein OF profit they are demanding. Opin-
on and concerted action on the part ~
purchasers can probably do the rest.
Let me urge, In the first place. thar
ne present foodstun control act should |
,e extended both as to the period OF time
turing which II shall remain in operation
md as 70 the commodities to which It I
hail apply
Its provision against boarding should be
made to apply not only to food but also | I