The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-08-14

ulated without JuSCl11aDle ground. Inc most
cheering phase of the revelations however, is the
firm decision Of the authorities to correct them;
and growing public opinion that will make it
unhealthy for men to persist in the nefarious
practice.
It seems as if the whole food distribution
system of the country will undergo thorough
study and investigation to discover the weakness
that permits the charging of high prices to con-
sumers for products that were bought at small
outlay of money from the producers.
An investigation of conditions in the Indiana
polls market showed that dealers were making a
profit of 200 per cent on apples bought for very
small sum from farmers who delivered them
to the middemen. In Chicago, on the other hand,
a dealer showed that under competition he was
selling apples and peaches for rs to so cents less
than he paid for them because he was forced to
contract for portion of the crop with the grow
ers at an exorbitant price. The contradiction be-
tween the two instances just cited presents only
one ramification of the gigantic problem.
The buyers often complain about prices which
they themselves have encouraged. For instance,
few commodities now bought in bulk House.
wives demand coffee, tea, bacon and scores Of
other foodstuffs of the highest quality put up
in fancy packages. The cost of the choice brands,
must in the very nature of the case be borne by
the purchaser. Only thorough going investi-
cation will disclose to what extent manufacturers
of these products have INDUCED in profiteering
and how far they have taken advantage of the
wishes of their customers
Besides this many of us have developed
taste for luxuries, which is beyond our purchas-
ing ability. It seems to be almost primitive
instinct to wish to Give beyond our means and
to indulge in that which we cannot afford. Self
restraint too often cannot overcome the longing,
and we develop a spirit of covetousness and jeal-
ousy which makes us dissatisfied with our lot and
prone to blame an economic system for our folly
Our indulgence in these luxuries. multiplied
by the other millions who have the same longing.
naturally creates demand in excess of the sup
ply, the result being that the prices keep on in
creasing.
In period such as we are now in, when war
bis impaired the normal functioning of our econ
omic system, an indulgence in luxuries only adds
to the seriousness of the crisis and tends to keep
up the price level
The demand for luxuries also entails the en-
ployment of additional capital and labor in their
production, pulling it away from the creation of
essentials. This results in competition for
capital and labor by the producer of essentials,
forcing him to pay more for both, and automat-
ically increasing the price of the essential
products.
Behind the present high price level of food
products are many factors which are not thor
oughly understood by the public and which even
our federal legislators have not been able to
grasp. The nationwide investigation, coupled
with the concentration of our national mind on
the problem, should be fruitful of results that
will give US true insight into its complexities.
1t is not rash to assert, however, that mere
processes Of law will not entirely solve the prob
lem. Unless the individual lends his support by
indulgence in thrift and wise expenditure of his
earnings, all the laws of the world will not pre-
vent men remaining poor and becoming depend
ent on public charity.
The Investigations that being made all
over the United States should clarity the situa-
ton, give us reliable data which to base our
expenditures, and restore confidence in the abil-
ity of our republic to safeguard the rights of the
individual
| Detroit Free Press.
If 90 per of his ammunition the
United States long could Lenine persist he
compelled to rely the other 10 per cent?