The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-11
Fair Price Bodies All Over
u. s. to Collect Needed
Evidence.
TRAPS FOR HOARDERS
Nationwide Plan Devised to
Curb Undue Food
Surpluses.
BIG PROSECUTIONS READY
Federal Attorney in Every Sec
tion to Show No Mercy
to GOugers.
BIG PROSECUTIONS READY
Special Despatch to THE SUI.


WASHINGTON, Aug. Incorporation
by citizens of every walk of life is
VI ged by Attorney General Palmer as
a natural adjunct to the Administra-
tion's campaign against altitudinous
prices for the necessaries of life.
A scheme of prodigious scope and
apparent utility which the Attorney
General advocates includes the organi-
zation of fair price committees" In
every community who will discuss
profits and seek means Of restricting
undue and unfair surpluses in costs,
both in the primary and secondary
markets. These faiT price committees,
1t also is suggested, will cooperate with
the Federal prosecuting officers
throughout the land and report with
substantiating evidence all instances
of violation of existing laws against
boarding. restraint Of free markets and
similar offences.
PaImer's Call for Aid.
With this general object in view Mr..
Palmer has despatched the following
kilograms to all State Food Admins
traitors throughout the United States:
I'm order to secure accurate informa-
tion relative to charges OF proflteering
by dealers In necessary commodities 1t
is the desire Of the Government to as-
certain whether or not such dealers are
making more than fair margin of
proflt. VIII you assist In your State
by requesting those persons who have
been county food administrators under
your Jurisdiction to appoint fair price
| committees, including one retailer of
groceries. one OF dry goods. a repre-
| sentative of the producers, OF organ
| lied labor, Of housewives, two or three
representatives OF the public generally.
7 also wholesaler when practicable7
Please request them to pursue ap
proximately the same inquiries with
reference to food products and the
ordinary necessities of dry goods and
clothing that were pursued by your fair
price committees under the Food Ad-
| ministration act. This committee will!
be an extra legal body without power
TO summon witnesses or fix prices. 1t
| is requested. however. to ascertain the
! cost prices, determine a fair margin OF
profit and IL retail prices are in excess
OF what the committee regards a fair
price to have published its list OF fair
| prices reporting to you for review.
You are requested to report to the De-
partment of Justice a general review
of the situation IN your state.
| Evidence to BE Heard.
| ANY evidence OF boarding or other
| violations of the food control act which
may be developed in the work OF such
committees should be turned over to the
!, United States Attorney who viii be in
structed to employ all his resources as
well as those OF the Bureau of Investi-
CATION TO cooperate with you and your
committees In seeking out and Furnishing
all violators OF the law.
There is pressing necessity for the
| restoration of normal conditions and
it is believed that through the same or
sanization which you had as Fedora |
food administrator you and your county
administrators together with their op-
ppintees can render a valuable service
to the country at this time, and your
cooperation and theirs, without COM
pensation will be greatly appreciated.
"The widest publicity of this move
ment and The results obtained by the
county committees it is believed will be
an important factor in its success.
Please wire whether the Governmenr
can count upon your active cooper
alton"