The state herald., 1919-08-15
U. S. ATTORNEY GENERAL 40.
MiTs LAW MAY NOT REACH
eoueERs.
AFTER PR0F|TEER|NG
ASKS FOR FAIR PRICE COMMIT.
TEE IN EVERY
COUNTY.
Newspaper Union rev. Service.

wssturn Newspaper Union News Service
Washington. Aug. II. = Attorney
General Palmer has started out to as
certain how much OF the high cost OF
living is due to excessive profits by
retailers. In a telegram to all state
food administrators who worked with
Administrator Hoover during the war,
the attorney general requested the
appointment Of a fair price committee
In each county to investigate what is
being charged for retail necessities
and II In excess Of what the commit.
tee considers just. to publish list OF
fair prices for the guidance of the
public.
Hoarders, on the other hand, can
be reached thu the war time food
laws or the Sherman act, and Mr..
Palmer requested the stnte food nd.
minlstrators to transmit to him any
evidence OF boarding or other viola
tions of the law which they might en-
counter In their work, with the prom
ise that the governments law enforce
ment machinery would act promptly.
The attorney generals telegram fol-
lows:
In order to secure accurate infor-
nation relative to charges of profit
eering by dealers In necessary COM
modlties 1t Is the desire of the gov.
eminent to ascertain whether or not
such dealers are making more than 4
fair margin Of profit.
"will you assist in your state by
requesting those persons who have
been county food administrators un-
der your Jurisdiction to appoint fair
price committees, including one re-
tailer OF groceries, one OF dry goods,
a representative of the producers, OF
organized labor. OF housewives two
or three representatives of the public
generally, also u wholesaler when
practicable?
please request them TO pursue ap-
proSimately the same inquiry with
reference to food products and the
ordinary necessities In dry goods and
clothing that We're pursued by your
fair-price committees under the food
administration act. This committee
will be nm extra legal body. without
power TO summon witnesses or fix
prices.
1T is requested, however. to as
certain the cost prices. determine u
fair margin Of profit. and II retail
prices are In excess Of what the com
mittee regards fair price, to have
published Its list OF fair prices, re-
porting to you for review. You nre
requested to report to the Department
OF Justice n general review of the
situation In your state.
ANY evidence Of hoartling or other
violations OF the food control act which
may be developed In the work OF such
s'mmitiee should be turned over to the
United States attorney. who viii be In.
strucied to employ all his resources a-
well ns those Of the bureau OF lnvesti
cation TO cooperate with you and your
committees In seeking out and punish,
Ing an vlolators OF the law.
There is n pressing necessity fol-
the restoration OF normal conditions
and It Ia believed that through IN,
same organization which you had as
federal food administrator. you and
your county administrators. together
with their nppointees. can render val
liable service to the country at thl,
time. and your cooperation and their,
without compensation. will be greatl,
appreciated.
'"The widest publicity OF this move
ment and the results obtained by IN,
county committees. Il Is believed. will
he mn important fnctor In Its success
Please wire whether the government
can count upon your active co-opcra
ton"