The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-05
PACKERS TO FACE
CRIMINAL CHARGES
proceedings Will Be Started
Before Chicago Grand
Jury Sept. Is.
EVIL SUITS TO BE FILED
Palmer Halls Reductions by
Fair Price Committees;
Defines Duties.
sp,c.ai L,,sparch 10 THr sus.

sptcidl Pespdfch 10 THE Sun.
w,su1SCroN. Sept. 4...-Crininal pro-
.sdings against the meat packers
IN he started by the Department Of
t,.,ice before a Grand Jury in Chi
aso on September Is.
announcement to this effect was
made BY Attorney General Palmer to-
nv At the same time II was an
,ouuced that John H. Atwood Of Kan
us City had been appointed a special
assistant to the Attorney-General to
cooperate with Isidor J. Kresel of New
york and Charles B. Morrison of Chi
aro. special assistants, to handle the
governments case.
Mr.. Kresel is in charge OF the pros
.ution. having been named several
weeks ago. He is engaged in the prep
sration Of testimony to be presented.
No announcement was made by the
DEPARTMENT with respect to a civil suit
AGAINST the packers under the Sher-
man law. That such suit Is to be
brought there seems little doubt, in
view OF the original statement by At
,orney- General Palmer indicating such
action.
The Governments price reduction cam
palgn hit an odd snag a few days ago.
Reports to the Department of Justice
showed that in some instances fair price
committees named to bring prices down
had boosted them on certain articles be-
cause they were too low.
Palmer Writes "Fixers.o
As result Attorney General Palmer
to-day sent a letter to all Of the COM
mittees as follows:
Reports have come to the depart
ment from few places that fair price
committees have raised prices. The
purpose of this campaign Is to reduce
the cost Of living. not to increase it.
Fair price committees should not at
any place or under any circumstances
Increase prices. If I'm the Judgment Of
the committee a price is too low 1t should
not be touched. 1t is only prices which
are too high with which we are con-
eerned
a further question has been raised as
&c whether the current sale price should
Be- based on original cost or replace
nent value. Under the Food Admins
ration original cost was the test The
regulations. however. have been rescind-
3D. and we now merely have left the
satutory prohibition against any unjust
or unreasonable charge. This is 4
question to be determined by the court
H. any particular case.
In ascertaining what Is a reasona bic
charge the original cost Is one factor
10 be considered, the replacement value
is another. and all the facts,and cfrcum-
stances surrounding the transaction are
proper elements entering into the prob
lem. Fair price committees must uss
their best Judgment in such cases, with
out narrowing the question to any one
factor.
1T is of the utmost Importance that
prices be lowered and the coopera ton
Of every agency. State and Federal, is
earnestly desired to procure this result Z"
Defines Jurisdiction.
In the instruction sent to all State
organizations Attorney Palmer incor-
porated the follow
The Jurisdiction of the fair price
committees will include foods. feeds, fuel
and wearing apparel. Whether all of
these subjects shall be investigated Is a
matter for each local committee to de-
termine for itself according to it's own
requirements, although in the larger
cities 1t is hoped the activities of the
committee will cover the entire subject.
and doubtless the chairman in such
communities will appoint sub-commit-
ICES dealing with the different commodi-
ues, II is suggested that on every COM
nttee there should be a wholesaler and
retailer. representative of organized
Iaoor. OF the housewives and as many
representatives. of the community al
isrge as the local chairman may con-
slider advisable
II Is important that the commit
ICES be 90 constituted as 10 command
me confidence and respect Of the com
munity. Dealers should be invited TO ac-
oept the prices suggested by the com.
Httee and the consumers should be
urged to insist upon these prices @,
refuse to buy.
Make profiteering unpopular should
Oe Inc motto of the campaign"
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