The Ordway new era., 1919-08-15

'tuue VI tHlnu ana commence OF pur-
pose depends. While there is any pos
ability that the peace terms may be
changed Or may be held long in abey-
ance. or may not be enforced because
OF divisions of opinion among the pow
ers associated against Germany II is
ioie 10 look for permanent relief.
Immediate Relief Measures.
BY way of immediate relief. surplus
STOCKS OF both food and clothing in the
hands OF the government will be sold and
OF course sold at prices at which there
is no proft And by way of a more per-
manent correction of prices surplus
stocks in private hands will be drawn out
OF storage and put upon the market For
tunately under the terms OF the food con-
troll act the boarding of foodsturfs can
be checked and prevented and they will
be, with the greatest energy. Foodstuffs
can be drawn out of storage and sold by
legal action which the department of
Justice Will institute wherever necessary;
but as soon the situation is systemati-
oally dealt with 1t is not likely that the
courts VIII often have to be resorted to-
Much of the accommodating of stocks has
no doubt been due to the sort OF specu-
lation which always results from uncer-
tainty.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
/ would also recommend that u be
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes 1T
price at which they left the hands of
the producer. Such requirement
would bear a close analogy to certain
provisions of the pure food act by which
1t Is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packag of foods and drugs.
And II does not seem to me that we
could confine ourselves to detailed
measures of this kind, II it is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
nj f1aa
take II for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
will suffice. We need not hesitate to
handle national question in a ma
tional way. We should go beyond the
measures | have suggested. We should
formulate law requiring a federal
license of all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying in
the license. or in the conditions under
which II is to be issued, specific regu-
lations designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent unconscionable
profits in the method of marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
Such law would afford welcome op-
portunity to effect other much-needed re-
forms in the business of Interstate ship
ment and in the methods of corporations
which are engaged In It, but for the mo-
rnent coniine my recommendations to the
object Immediately in hand. which is to
lower the cost OF living.
We are dealing, gentlemen of the con-
gress, need hardly say, with very critical
and very difficult matters. We should go
forward with confidence along the road
we see. but we should also seek to COM
prehend the whole of the scene amidst
which we act There is no ground for
some Of the fearful forecasts / hear ut
tered about me- but the condition OF the
world is unquestionably very grave and
wa should face 1t comprehendingly. The
situation of our own country is excep-
tionately fortunate We of all peoples
can AFFORD to keep our heads and to de-
ternine upon moderate and sensible
courses of action which will Insure us
against the passions and distempers which
are working such deep unhappness for
some of the distressed nations on the
| other side of the sea-
But we may be involved in their dis
| tresses unless we help, and help with en-
ergy and intelligence
Disregarding the surplus stock In the
| hands of the government, there was a
greater supply of foodstuffs in this coun-
| try on June of this year than at the
| same date last year In the combined to-
tai of number OF the most important
foods in dry and cold storage the excess
| Is quite 1s per cent And yet prices have
| risen.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
| a careful study of the situation as a
whole and of the laws that can be ap-
piled to better 1t and is convinced that,
| under the stimulation and temptation of
exceptional circumstances combina tions
OF producers and combinations of traders
have been formed for the control of sup
plies and of prices which are clearly In
restraint of trade, and against these pros
| ecutions will be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which will In all likeli-
hood have a prompt corrective effect
| There is reason to believe that the prices
| of lea ther. of coal. of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected by
| forms of concert and cooperation among
the producers and marketers of these and
other universally necessary commodities
which 1t will be possible to redress. No
watchful or energetic effort will be
spared to accomplish this necessary re-
suit trust that there will not be many
cases i'm which prosecution will be neces-
sary. Public action will no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwittingly
adopted Illegal methods to abandon them
| promptly and of their own motion
The department of commerce. the
| department Of agriculture, the depart
| msnt of labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal toward
| supplying the public systematically
and at short intervals. with informa-
| tion regarding the actual supply of
particular commodities that is in ex-
istence and available with regard to
supplies which are in existence but not
| with regard to the methods of price fix
| Ing which are being used by dealers in
certain foodstuffs and other necessities.
Retailers in Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
ers are in part-sometimes in large
part-responsible for exorbitant prices
and it is quite practicable for the gov
ernment through the agencies I have
| mentioned. to supply the public with
| full Information as to the prices at
| which retailers buy and as to the costs
| of transportation they pay in order
| that II may be known Just what mar
gin OF profit they are demanding. Opin-
| ion and concerted action on the part of
| purchasers can probably do the rest.
Let me urge In the first place that
| the present foodstun control act should
be extended both as to the period of time
during SNhlrh Ii shnll In