Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-21
STATE PROBE
OF BUILDING
STUFF BEGUN
Investigation of Material
Prices Gets Under
Way in Chicago.

Chicago, March 21-When the
legislative commission appointed to
investigate the high cost of build
ing materials opened its inquiry
here today. Chairman John Daley
of Peoria declared that if evidence
of protiteering is obtained, the Illi-
nois general assembly will be asked
to pass law providing for the dras-
tic regulation of manufacturers or
as a last resort, the state may be
compelled to enter the business OF
manufacturing building material.
In opening the inquiry Chairman
Daley said:
THE direct interest of the state
in its comprehensive road building
program is responsible for this In
vestigation. BY popular vote the
state is authorized to spend $780,
100000 in the construction Of state
roads
Prices Hinder Road Work.
This project was approved by
the people with the understanding
that work would not be begun until
the war was over and the prices of
materials stabilized and normal
conditions restored. The existing
high prices of materials will great
ly restrict the road building pro-
gram, reducing the mileage approx
imateiy one-third. From every part
of this state there is an imperative
and insistent demand that d
thorough and rigid investigation of
road establishing material be made.
There is a decidedly prevalent De-
lief that these prices are unreason
able and abnoEnaIy high. We have
no desire to attack honorable and
reliable business men and business
methods.
viii Expose PrOfiteers.
The commission will make its re-
port in strict compliance with the
evidence adduced. If profiteering ex
sists in this business, we propose
to do our best TO eXculpate the m
nocent and expose the guilty. If,
as generally believed, there are
groups of men taking advantage of
war time prices by illegal means
and criminal understanding they
are determined to hold up prices
when the case for such prices have
ceased and if by reason of this
power their mere dictum can Ge-
termine the progress of industry, it
is time for the state to intervene. Ii
the question of the resumption of
industry and the giving of employ
ment to the idle, including our re-
turned soldiers and sailors, is de-
pendent solely upon these men to
exist upon eXorbitant, unreason-
able. extortionate prices, then the
time has come to meet the issue
squarely and boldly. In meeting this
question the state may be called
upon to use its tremendous power
that now lies dormant, inert and un-
exercised.
State May Take Drastic Steps.
If such conditions exist as | re-
fer to then the state can and may
say that the general welfare of the
people is involved in these matters
and the state may enact laws that
will subject you manufacturers to
regulation of your affairs in the in
terests of thepeople. 1t may be aG-
visable for the state under such cir
to provide that an Of
fcer of the state shall be maze a
member of the directorate of all
your companies and subject all your
fractions and methods to the
most rigid scrutiny and inspection
Of the states agents. If such con-
1itions obtain. the state may be
compelled to enter the field of pri-
vate enterprise. Such legislation
should be the last resort"
Fifty manufacturers of building
attended the opening ses-
sion. a majority having been
as witnesses.
T. A. Heiniman, secretary of the !
Western Stone company. the first !
witness examined. said his concern
had not been active in business for /
five years, because of its inability to |
operate at a profit. The company |
had permitted the Great Lakes |
Dredge and Dock company to take |
Out some stone from tis quarrIes |
On royalty and had leased their !
to another company. He |
said the price of crushed stone was !
50 cents a yard FIVE years ago and |
was selling for IS cents a yard to- |
lay The price of production, he !
said, had increased.
Denies Being in Combine.
Labor was higher he said and |
he stone crushing machinery had I
increased 300 per cent in few !
Fears. He denied that the COM !
0any was a member of any price |
liking association
He said the company was will /
ng to sell direct to the state or
ease or sell its machinery and I
luarries.
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