Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1919-08-22


we see. but we should also seek 70 COM
prehend the whole Of the scene amidst
which we act. There IS no ground tor |
some Of the fearful forecasts I hear Ut
tered about me, but the condition or the
world is unquestionably very grave ana
we should face it eomprehendlngly Inc
situation Of our own country Is exeep-
tionately fortunate. We Of all peoples
can afford to keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensiple
courses Of action which viii insure US
against the passions and distempers Whlch
are working such deep unhapplness lor
some OF the distressed nations on ing
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
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 a number of the most important
foods in dry ard cold storage the excess
is quite 10 per cent And yet prices have
risen.
The supply Of fresh eggs on hand In
June of this year. for example, was
greater by nearly 10 per cent than the
supply on hand at the same time last
year. and yet the wholesale price Of eggs
was 20 cents a dozen, as against 80 cents
q year ago. The stock Of frozen fowls
had increased more than 29S per cent, and
yet the prices had risen also from 541a
cents per pound to 3714 cents, The supply
OF creamery butter had increased ls per
cent and the price from A to 50 cents per
pound The supply of salt beef had been
augmented per cent and the price mad
gone up from S34 a barrel to $S6 a barrel
Canned corn had increased in stock near
~ % per cent and had remained sub
stantially the same In price
Few Price Drops Not Enough.
In few foodstuffs the prices had de-
clined, but in nothing like the proportion
in which the supply had increased, For
example, the stock of canned tomatoes
had increased 102 per cent, and yet the
price had declined only 25' cents per
dozen cans. In some cases there mad
been the usual result of an increase OF
price following decrease Of supply, but
in almost every instance the increase Oh
price had been disproportionate to the
| decrease in stock.
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 APP
piled to better 1t and is convinced that,
| under the stimulation and temptation OF
exceptional circumstances, combinations
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 efrect,
There is reason TO believe that tho prices
| of leather, 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 ana
other universally necessary commodities
which 1t will be possible to redress. No
watchful or energetic effort VIII be
spared to accomplish this necessary re-
suit / trust that there will not be many
cases in which prosecution win be neces-
sary. Public action will no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwlttingly
adopted illegal methods to abandon them
promptly and of their own motion.
Publicity Will Do Much.
And publicity can accomplish great
deal The purchaser can often take care
of himself II he knows the facts and In
huences he is dealing with, and purchas
ers are not disinclned to do anything Ell
Their singly or collectively, that may bt
necessary for their self-protection.
The department of commerce, tht
department of agriculture. the depart
ment Of labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal TOWARD
supplying the public systematically
and at short intervals, with informa
ton regarding the actual supply o.
particular commodities that Is in eX
istenee and available with regard t
supplies which are in existence but no
with regard to the methods of price fix
ing which are being used by dealers II
certain foodstuffs and other necessities
Retailers in Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
ers are in part--sometimes in larg
part-responsible for exorbltant prices
and it is quite practicable for the gov
eminent through the agencies ! hav
mentioned to supply the public wit
} full information as to the prices q
,, which retailers buy and as to the cost
Of transportation they pay In orde
that 1t may be known just what mar
gin Of profit they are demanding. Opln
, ion and concerted action on the part o
purchasers can probably do the rest.
t Congress Must suppIy Funds.
That is, these agencies may perform thi
: Indispensable service provided the cor
gress will supply them with the nece'
sary funds to prosecute their inquire
! and keep their price lists up to dat
! Hitherto the appropriation committees
the house have not always, ] fear, see
the full value Of these inquiries, and tn
: departments and commissions have bee
very much straitened for means to rel
der this service. That adequate funds
provided by appropriation for this pul
pose, and provided as promptly as po
sible is one of the means of great
ameliorating the present distressing col
: ditions of livelihood that come to urg
in this attempt to concert with you Y
: best ways to serve the country In tn
!. emergency.
It Is one of the absolutely necessal
= means underlying many others, and ca
II be supplied at once.
: There are many otner ways. Existir
Il law is inadequate. There are many pc
fectly legitimate methods by which Il
e government can exercise restraint al
guidance
d Let me urge, in the first place, tn
u the present foodstuff control act shou
/ ba extended both as to the period Of tin
# during which it shall remain in operate
IS and as to the commodities to which
o shall apply.
! Its provision against boarding should
e made to apply not only to food but al
a .t,,efe - Ft,a1 IN clothing and