Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-08-15

Il
i ly where she stands in respect TO
peace; and what we viii do is for her
/ the chief question upon which her quiz
Stude of mind and confidence OK pur-
! pose depends. While there is any pos
ability that the peace terms may be
changed or may be held lorg in abey-
ance, or may not be enforced because
of 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-
msnent 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 VIII institute wherever necessary;
but as soon as the situation is systerlafi-
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.
1 would also recommend that II 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 a close analogy to certain
provisions OF the pure food act by which
it is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels Of
packages of foods and drugs.
And 1t does not seem to me that we
could confine ourselves to detailed
measures of this kind, If 1t is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
Of the processes of distribution.
take IL for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
will 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-
lations designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent uncomfortable
PROFITS In the method of marketing.
Law Would Dc Much.
Such a law would afford a 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 it; 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
and very difncult 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
which we act There is no ground for
some OF the fearful forecasts / hear ut
tered about me. but the condition of the
world is unquestionably very grave and
we should face 1t comprehendingly The
SITUATION OF our own country is exeep-
tionately fortunate We of all peoples
can anord TO keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses of action which will 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
hands of the government there was a
greater supply of foodstuffs In this coun-
try on June l of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to-
tai OF a number Of the most important
FOODS In dry and cold storage the excess
IS quite 10 per cent. And yet prices have
risen.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
a careful study of the situation as a
whole and of the laws that can be APP
pHeo to better 1t and is convinced that
under the stimulation and temptation OF
exceptional circumstances combinations
OF producers and combinations of traders
have been formed for the control OF sup
plies and of prices which are clearly in
restraint OF trade, and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which will in all likeli-
hood have prompt corrective effect.
There is reason to believe that the prices
or leather, of coal, of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected by
forms Of concert and cooperation among
the producers and marketers of these and
other universally necessary commodities
which 1t Will be possible to redress No
watchful or energetic EFFORT will be
spared to accomplish this necessary re-
sun trust that there will not be many
cases in which prosecution will be neces-
sary. Public action viii no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwittingly
adopted illegal 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 with regard TO
supplies which are in existence hut not
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-respoRsihle for exorbttant prices;
and ii is quite praeticabie for the gov
ernment through the agencies I have
mentioned. to supply the public with
fun information as to the prices at
which retailers buy and as to the costs
OF transportation they pay in order
that 1t may be known just what mar
gin OF profit they are demanding. Opin-
ion and concerted action on the part OF
purchasers can probably do the rest.