Gilpin observer., 1919-08-14

All that we shall do in the mean
time to restrain proiteering and nut
the lie OF our people upon a tolerable
footing Will be makeshift and proyi-
sional. There can be no settled condi-
uon here or elsewhere until the treaty
OF peace Is. out of the way AMI the
work or Hquidating the war has be-
come the chief concern of our govern
| the world
Europe will not. cannot recoup her
| capital or put her restless, distracted
peoples to work until she knows exact
| ~ where she stands in respect to
peace; and what we will do is for her
'ne chief question upon which her qui-
etude or mind and confidence of pur-
| pose depends. While there is any pos
aolllty lty that the peace terms may be
chahged or may be held long in abey-
ance or may not be enforced because
OF divisions of opinion among the pow
,dI. Soe.ateu against Germany, it is
'"ie TO LOOK FOR permanent relief
immediate Relief Measures.
BY way of immediate relief. surpIua
STOCKS or both food and clothing in the
"ahus OF the government will be sold and
oi course sold at prices at which there
Is no proht And by way of more per-
s,aa'e correction of prices surplus
STOCKS In private hands Will be drawn o,,t
Oh storage and put upon the market Eor
.unately under the terms of the food-con
.roi act the boarding of foodstufys can
oe checked and prevented, and thew viii
w. with the greatest energy. Foodsturrs
can De drawn out of storage and sold h,,
i@esui @ ACTON which the department OF
lustce Will institute wherever necessarv.
out as soon as the situation is systemati
caily dealt with 1t is not likely that the
courts will often have to be resorted to
nucn or the accommodating of stocks has
no doubt been due to the sort of .nao,,
tainty. ''''' ""eer-
would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
would also recommend that IT he
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes a.
.possioie be plainly marked with the
price at which they left the hands Of
the producer Such reo,,iranont
would bear a close analogy to certoin
provisions OF the pure food act by which
:, is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packages of foods and drugs.
ana IL does not seem to me that n,o
could confine ourselves to detailed
measures OF this kind, IL 1t is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
OF the processes of distribution.
take II for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
viii suffice. We need not hesitate e.,
handle national question in ma
uonal way. We should go beyond th.
measures l have suggested We should
formulate law requiring a federal
license of all corporations engaged in |
Interstate commerce and embodyinr In |
the license, or in the conditions undar
which 1T is to be issued. specidc ror,,
iations designed to secure competitive
seilns and prevent unconscionable |
prohts In the method OF marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
euch law would afford a welcome op |
poituhity y TO effect other much h-needed re-
~ o ms III the business of interstate ship
ment and in the methods of corporations
which are engaged in 1t; but for the mo-
meht 1 confine my recommendations to the
OBJECT Immediately in hand. which ia IN
lower the cost of living
we are dealing. gentlemen of the con-
eress. need hardly say with very critical
and very difficult matters We sbould 90
Forward with confidence along the road
we see. but we should also seek to COM
prehend the whole of the scene amidst
mnich we act There is no ground for
some or the fearful forecasts / hear nj
tered about me. but the condition of the
Moriu is unquestionaby very grave and
we should face II comprehendingly The
s,tua.ioh s, or our own country is excep-
tionately fortunate. We of all neonIas
can AFFORD to keep our heads and 70 de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses OF action which will insure ms
AGAINST the passions and distempers which
are working such deep unhappiness for
some of the distressed nations on tba
other side of the sea-
but we may be involved In their dis
tresses unless We help. and help with en-
ergy and intelligence
Dsregarding the surplus stock In the
'ahus OF the government. there was n
sreater supply of foodstuffs In this coun-
try on June l of this year than at tho
same date last year In the combined to-
tai OF number of the most important
ioods In dry and cold storage the excess
rs quite II per cent. And yet prices have
risen. "'''
Law Department Active,
The attorney general has been making
careful study of the situation as n
whole and OF the laws that can be nm
pheu 10 better II and is convinced that
uhuer the stimulation and temptation of |
exceptional circumstances combinations
d producers and combinations of traders
nave been formed for the control of sun
plies and of prices which are cIear,, IL ,
restraint of trade. and against these pros
ecutions VIII be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which will In all IikcIi- ,
lood have prompt corrective effect
mere is reason to believe that the prices
)f leather, of coal. of lumber and of toy
Hes have been materially affected hv ,
orms or concert and corporation among ,
ne producers and marketers of these and +
'ther universally necessary commodities ,
which 1t VIII be possible to redress. No !
or energetic effort will he ,
pared to accomplish this necessary re- !
uit' trust that there will not be many {
ases In which prosecution viii be neces- /
AIRY. Public action will no doubt cause
many VINO have perhaps unwittingly
ldopted Illegal methods to abandon them
promptly and of their own notion
Retailers In Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail .
RS are In part-sometimes in large
for exorbitant prices.
nd II is quite practicable for the gov
rnment through the agencies I have I
nentioned, to supply the public with I
ull Information as to the prices nj h
'hich retailers buy and as to the costs I
Z transportation they pay In order @
hat II may be known Just what mar s
In of profit they are denim ndInn o..I.. | n