The Washington times., 1919-08-17
H. C.L. STILL
HERE DESPITE
WEEK'SWORK
Situation Practically UnOhang-
ed As Authorities and Citizens
Seek Method to Lower Prices.

After a busy week Of organized
effort on the part OF the. Districs
Government and citizens Of pzshIng.
ton to lower the price Of living horC.
local conditions remain little changeti
and the steps taken have given ris.i
to much riseussion as to their proha'
Die success
The bill framed By the District
commissioners and Corporation coun,
sci Conrad H syms aarlisr IN ths
week, provided for q "falr price ad-
ministration" IN the Distriet. is saId
% have sman chance Of being re-
ported favorbly from committee,
While passage OF the meahnFs hy
Congrsss is deemed uncertsin 81
WellsinfoFmed persons.
The Fair Price Association, e 81
formed here Thursday night BY clar.
ence r. Wilson, former food admin
tstrator, IL q believed. nay prevent
prohteefing BY retail in geoeera. buf
IL has been shown that the majority
OF retailers are selling at what =
considered q fair margin OF proats
and although the percentage OF prons
now existing among retailers IA fo6d
may be lowered to some extent, Il s.
lowered enough materially to lower
food prices.
Clofhing sltuation TFoaDled.
The Fair Price Association also. win
not eject immediately the dealers in
clothing and wearing apparel. reaI
estate men and restaurants. And.
while, Mr.. Wilson intends to make
his Fair Price Association Include
clothing merchants later, there seems
% be strong undercurrent OF protest
against the measure on the part of
some local business men. Those who
have been Questioned have been Re-
tieent and all that Mr. Wilson, him,
self, will say % that athers will be
deVeiopments along this line later"
So Tar there has been no sstivs sten
to curb the alleged prohteering On
the part Of restaurant men and ii
rents Attorney General Palmer has
said the local situation Ia rents % not
what 10 should be, and q mass OF data
is being gathered to show specific in.
stances OF prohteering.
The sale OF surplus army food IN
Washington, through the community
eenters, has ended. II has been
stated there Is mot enough food 20
80 around" and many buyers may Be
ders filled from the present stock,
Delivery OF the food viii begin to-
borrow from che Municipal Fisb
Market, and until all the orders have
been received and checked at the Of
nee Of the chairman OF the COMMITTEES
Of fifteen nothing dehnits can Be
stated as to how much the present
stock Is "oversubseribed."
Use Of gehOola Problemetlr.I-
Another question: which has been
presented unofnciaIly By an sxecu.
tive OF the District Government A.
How long can the schools continus
to remain distributing points for the
sale Of this food?
School will open before another
month has passed, and will be
crowded with children practically the
entire day. This is causing doubt as
to whether the schools can continue
to be used again as distributing
points II another allotment is re-
ceived.
This week win sc q trial OF tbs
system OF distributing army food
through the parcels post IN wash
ington. The price lists have been
printed by the War Department. 70.
gethef with q list Of the food avail
able. Washington housewives may
order through the postmen or at the
main postoRice or classified postal
stations. Orders must be given be.
fore August 80, and delivery will b
made, as promptly as possible upon
receipt Of the goods from the army
depots-
Purchasers are warned that checks
will not be accepted, and that certain
articles indicated on the price list
will be sold only in whole cases or
bags. IL has been suggested that
where one purchaser cannot use such
large quantities OF food. several may
combine in ordering and individual
distribution can follow delivery.