Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-08

VIII EOfce OHG hOaFde0 EOO0s
Surplus stocks of food and cloth
ing in the hands of the govern
ment, the president said, would be
sold and boards of foods in private
hands would be forced out under
the existing provisions of the food
control law.
Dealers, eager to reap a harvest
of rising prices who had accumu-
lated boards, the president said,
would see the disadvantage as
well as the danger of holding on
from the new processes OF distri-
button.
The normal operation of the
laws Of supply and demand, the
president said, had been set at
naught in the cases OF many neces-
sary commodities. He cited the
figures OF the Federal Trade com
mission, showing rising prices in
the face of greater stocks of food
than were on hand in the country a
Syear ago.
The pending bill to regulate Sc
curities issues, the president refer
red to as a measure which would
do much to stop speculation and to
prevent the fraudulent methods of
promotion by which our people are
annually fleeced of many millions
Of hard-earned money"
Appeals for Fairness.
Besides asking for. the remedies
he proposed, the president called
on congress and the public to deal
with the subject deliberately. He
appealed to merchants and others
to deal fairly with the people and to
housewives to exercise a greater
vigilance, a more thoughtful econ
omy."
Leaders of organized labor, the
president he was sure will pres
entity yield to a second sober
thought and like the great mass OF
their associates, think and act like
EHqericans."
Strikes, undertaken at this time,
the president said, would only
make matters worse and he ex-
pressed his confidence that the
labor men would realize it.
NO remedy is possible while men
are in q temper" continued the
president, land there can be no
settlement which does not have as
its motive and standard the general
interest"
The president warned congress,
however, that no complete and i'm
mediate remedy was to be found in
legislation or immediate action. The
process of supply and demand
would not operate of themselves
while the country was neither at
peace nor war.
"WOrId on Operating Table.
Where there is no peace Of mind.
or" said he. Politically, socially,
economically, the world is on the
operating table and It has not been
possible to administer an anaes-
thetic."
There can be no confidence in !
industry. no incalculable basis for |
credits, no confident buying or sys
tematic selling, no certain prospect !
of employment, no normal restora- I
ton of business, no hopeful attempt !
at reconstruction or the proper re- !
OF the dislocated ele-
ments of enterprises until peace |
has been established and so far as /
pay be guaranteed.
This, the president said. in con- !
nection with his reminder that the |
peace treaty should speedily be |
ratified.
Retailers Largely TO Blame.
Speaking of retail prices the
president said:
There can be no little doubt that
retailers are in part-somettmes in
arge ponsible for exorbi-
-ant prices"
II was practicable. the president
said. to supply the public through
governmental agencies
and through publicity with infor-
nation on which it might Judge
what profits should be. Congress
should provide necessary funds for
hese agencies. the president said.
The world. Of course, the presi-
lent reminded congress, must pay
or the vast wastage of the war,
Ind take the results Of food fields
urned to battle grounds.
U. s. Holds World Steady.
At the same time, It must help
europe back to her normal state.
We. and we almost alone. hold
he world steady" said the presi-
lent. ut is in this supreme crisis
this crisis for all mankind that