Omaha daily bee., 1919-08-14
PRoF|TEERS IN
OMAHA keep ON
RAISING PRICES
No Single Reduction Here,
Though Marked Decline
Has Taken Place in
Other Cities.

Omaha continues to struggle be-
meath load of excessive prices, not
withstanding an investigation which
has been started by the city, led by
Mayor Smith, and in conjunction
with the county attorney and the To-
cal federal officials.
While Mayor Smith. County At
torney Shotwell and Assistant
United States Attorney F. A. Peter
son are investigating and talking,
Omaha profiteers are running ram
pant with their saturnalia Of high
prices.
While federal. county and city Of
ficials of Omaha are investigating,
sharp advances are being made in
prices in restaurants, rents are be-
ing boosted and clothing, shoes and
even some staple food products are
being marked up.
Probe is "Adjourned."
Not one instance of reduction
can be found in Omaha as a re-
suit of the investigation started last
Monday by Mayor Smith and which
was adjourned subject to call of
the mayor"
Omaha, through it's duly consti-
tuted officials, is resolving to re-
solve" while reports from Chicago,
Kansas City and other cities show
a marked decrease in prices since
the searchlight of investigation was
turned upon the profteers.
This city continues to stand in its
own light as a city which suffered
the highest average increase Of
prices during July, the government
figures showing a decided increase
in Omaha on list of staple articles
compiled in 50 cities.
Other Cities Get Results.
The federal officials in the vari-
Gus cities have been vested with al
most unlimited powers in striking at
the heart of the high cost of living
problems. These officials, in other
cities, with the cooperation of state.
County and city officials, have al
ready brought some relief. They
have struck down blows at the heart
of the situation. In Omaha nothing
has been done as yet except "inves-
tigate" and talk. The effect of the
local investigation seems to be re-
Elected in continued advancing
prices.
Even the sale of government SUR
plus stocks in Omaha has not moved
the piofiteers to see the "handwrit-
ing on the wall"
City Attorney Weaver has re
ceived information from Falls City,
Neb.. showing that the market price
for eggs a few days ago was 80
cents On the same day eggs sold
in Omaha for 4S and 50 cents re-
tail.
Samuel Winters of South Side re-
ported at the city hall yesterday
that on three recent occasions he
bought butter in Papillion at %
cents a pound at store. He said
the same butter was retailing III
Omaha for IS to e. cents a pound.
Potato Prices Way Up.
County Attorney Shotwell in IN
vestigating a report found that pota-
toes were retailing in Minneapolis
for 40 cents peck and on the same
day Omaha stores were charging 60
to Is cents a peck. according to the
store.
Mr.. Shotwell has another report
that an Omaha man bought a ship
ment of lumber in Sioux City be-
cause he saved 5000 on the deal.
Within the last few days a pop
ular brand of coffee which is packed
in two-pound cans and sold by To-
cal wholesale house. was advanced
from 90 cents to ST can. Three
years ago this coffee was sold at %
cents can, the advance being IS
per cent in three years,
Plenty of Talk.
1T is my opinion that these prof
iteers are getting wise to the fact
that the people are not going to
stand for prohteering any longer,
and the dealers will act accord
ingly," said City Attorney Weaver,
who is conducting the mayors in
vestigation.
q think these Investigations will
make the people think. The peo-
pie should work harder and save
more and be more careful in their
buying Why, l have never worn
silk shirt in my life, and yet I
see a lot of fellows wearing silk
shirts on weekdays" said City
Commissioner FOWL.
! Mayor Marks Time.
Mayor Smith announced that he
will not resume his formal investi-
CATION until he shall have opened
four municipal stores.
Il am going to get these stores
opened first, and then we will re-
sumo the investigation" the mayor
said. 81 believe these stores will
have some effect on reducing prices.
CITY Attorney Weaver has been
directed to obtain from the local
railroad officials a complete state