The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-21
STRIKING DOWN H. c. L.

Those actively engaged in the crusade to bring about
solution Of the high cost of living are indulgng the
hope that this week will witness practical results in the
form of reductions in food prices This hope shared bv
every family in the nation now burdened with the task
OF meeting the constantly increasing prices is based upon
the plans Of the administration to dump upon the market
some $1OOOOOOOO worth of food at prices much lower
than ruling market quotations
There is about $8OOOOO0 worth of surplus army food
to be disposed of direct to the people through the
dunn of the parcel post In addition there is between
$1OO00OO0 and $50 100000 worth of boarded food res
cued from the cold storage warehouses by agents of the
Department of Justice, which will be sold Taken alto
gether this will form very respectable showing for one
week in the campaign to bring down food prices to within
reach of the average citizen
In some quarters there is disposition to bete these
efforts by directing attention to the fact that even $780,
OoOOOO worth of food is but average of less than 81
worth per CAPITA very small proportion of the nations
food bill for month, or even for a week While il s
true that the total amount of food to be sold through
government agencies is small as compared to the total
required by the population, yet it cannot fail to have
beneficial effect upon market conditions and as the in
itia step in the movement it carries great significance
But greater benefits will no doubt from the sale
OF food by the government than any mere temporary
slump In prices 1t will notice upon the profteers
that the government is in deadly earnest in this campaign
for lower prices and is determined to take prompt and
active measures to carry it through The seizure of
boarded food by the Department of Justice is quite Ger
tain to cause CONSERVATION among the interests which
have great amounts of provisions in cold storage await
ing still higher prices, with the result that much of this
food will be hurredy placed upon the market in the
near future When spectators in the necessares Of f
find themselves coidng with determined public sent
ment backed by the strong of the law their cupdity
will be materially lessened
1t is encouraging to learn that Congress- undeterred
by the peremptoy demands of the organized farmers will
proceed with consideration of the administration meas
ures proposed for strengthening the in deal
ing with the food problem The movement to ENLARGE tbe
scope of the food control act will go forward and re-
port from the House committee is expected in a few
days. Hearings the bills for Federal control of the
packers and other large dealers in food supplies are to
be held by the Senate committee The DEPARTMENT If
Justice expects to begin its action against the packers
IN accordance with It's previous announcement. gen
eral attack all along the line is planned with view to
engaging the enemy at every point and this regardless
OF the protests of the agricultural or any other interests
Repeatedly has it been emphasized that in any move
ment in the public veal Interest" invariably cries
for help 1t is nconcevable that general reduction in
the cost of living be effected without INVOLVING
sacrifice to some one Profits in lines must be cut
and fat earnings must be reduced But if Congress and
he executive branch of the government keep their gaze
xed steadily upon the interests of the whole people, and
Ipon those only, they viii make no mistake. $,