The sun., 1919-08-25
'ALLLATIN AMERICA
FIGHTS PROFITEERS
Campaign Against High Cost
Of Living Waged by
Governments.
GOUGERs MAKE TROUBLE
Hoarding for Speculation at
Bottom Of Unrest Among
the Masses.

Reports from the principal countries
paign to cut down the high cost of liv-
ing in the Western Hemisphere Is
general one. Nearly every Latin Amer
lean country has experienced difficulties
peculiar to high living conditions and
massed complaints on the part Of the
consuming population have been made
quite frequently.
In Uruguay. where strikes and other
forms of labor troubles have embar-
raised business to some extent. the Gov
eminent has taken measures to protect
the people against the gouging by prof
iteers in the introduction of legislation
involving the necessities Of life at a
fixed price. The Government is now
considering also the passage OF a bill
aiming to prohibit the expectation of
foodstuffs OF any kind from the country
as well as a measure permitting the free
entry of provisions. It Is reported
also that the large meat companies have
voluntarily reduced the cost of meats
within the country declaring that the
prices obtainable in foreign markets
were sufficient to equalize matters.
Argentina also has experienced con-
siderable unrest as the result of high
of discomfort there have been numerous
strikes and walkouts that havs crippled
business and caused general disruption
of industry. In an effort to relieve the
situation tho Government has imposed
| a restriction against the killing of cattle
for a period of two years. as we'll as
| restriction against the expectation of
| sugar for a similar period.
Chile has under consideration a law
prohibiting the expectation OF certain
| commodities, as we'll as a law providing
| for bond issue OF S20.000,00o (Chilean
paper) for the purchase of foodstuffs by
the Government and their resale to the
consuming population. Others laws arc
| being considered for the fixing of prices
and the prohibition of speculation in
| foodstuffs Under the law also retail
ers will be compelled to give daily
! statement concerning the quantity Of
their goods In storage SO as to prevent
unlawful boarding.
| La Paz, Bolivia, has under considera-
| ton a law providing for the free entry
of provisions into the country. The Gov
| eminent has established municipal mar
kets in the large cities where the people
may obtain foods at greatly reduced
costs.
In Lima. Peru. the authorities have
I ordered the establishment OF municipal
markets where the people may come 10
| buy their food. The success of this
plan of cutting down the high cost OF
living In this city has been SO effective
| that other municipalities are now I'M
dertaking similar projects.
| In Cuba prices OF certain necessities
have been fixed by law, which has d.
vided the commercial houses which en-
gage in the sale and resale Of commod-
tiles into three classes, each class being
prohibited from making a charge higher
than that provided by the law.
| High costs in Cuba have been traced &c
boarding of food in some instances. II
is reported that 100000 sacks of rice
which had been boarded by importers
| for the purpose of awaiting higher
| prices, have been spoiled and sold &c
perfume factories. Rice is selling at is
cents a pound now in Cuba.
| The Cuban food board has confiscated
| &c, 600 sacks OF flour and sold it to the
public at greatly reduced prices.
/ The seriousness of the Cuban Govern
ments intentions of effecting a reduction
Of prices is seen in the mission of Andre
| Armando, Food Administrator of Cuba,
who has arrived in New York city from
a visit to the principal European coun-
| tries for the purpose of studying food
! conditions and methods employed by
| those countries In combating the high
| cost of living. The Government aims to
| go after the sugar profiteer and imme-
| diately upon his return to Havana Mr.
! Armando will ask for the enactment OF
new laws designed to curb the protteers