Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-11
GRAND JURY PUTS BLAME
FOR PRICES UPON PUBLIC
hustings Court Inquisitors Report
They Find No Evidence of
Profitccring Here.
BEST GOODS ARE DEMANDED
'robers State People Reject Cheaper
commodities offered by Merchants.
Niake Several Recommendation
Leading 10 Better Conditions.

'iS III thC1r opinion th2t the
.,, , prices OF necessities in Richmond
Is caused chiefly by the extraya-
sno1s OF tho people. who, II liz
n nr,GiaIed. insist upon the higher
piiCeu articles and reject cheaper COM
nIodilies. members of the grand jury
Investigating tho nigh cost of living
reported to Judge d. c. Richa rdson, of
ne Hastings Court yesterday. that
thcy were unable to find evidence Of
Proliteering in Richmond.
although finding no evidence or pro-
commentators in which they advocat-
Ell stnndardizing the size OF the loaf
OF bread. limiting netailers to one
supplying the commemorative Al
torncy with an assistant TO assist in
INC large amount Of work which con-
fronts that officer.
Bread. produce. milk. coal. ice.
sugar. real estate and lawyers fees
were tho commodities which were in
xestiga,ed. Although they were un-
abe 10 recommend any action or re-
turn any indictments the jury stated
IN their report that, In their opinion
violations OF the law had been effect,
co; but that there was insufficient
evidence to take action.
Increases in wages paid for tho nro-
adct!on ana sal. OF goods was given
IN the report to Judge Richardson
IS absorbing the advances in the pur-
chase price OF ruany articles.
buyers arc urged, in the report to
LOOK Tor goods marked at a lower
Price than they have been accustomed
70 paying and thus invite competition
Inc report stated that goods OF equal
quality 10 that which the consumer
~ accustomed could in this way often
DC purchased at lesser price.
Demnpd Luxurious Goods
Demand for high priced clothing and
GOODS. regardless of the price, by al
most all classes was found TO be the
reason for the increased prices Of dry
goods
Members OF the grand jury are:
Charles L. Taylor, foreman: w. ].
.echier' Joseph l.. Sorg. Reuben Bur
ton, s. l.. Bishop. Joseph H. Estes
and Robert Lccky. Jr
IN iuli the report reads:
This grand jury. which has been
specially charged with the duty of as
OF the antitrust law of this state
entitled an act to prevent trusts com
ninatons and monoplIcs inimical TO
the public welfare, beg 10 report that
they have summoned many witnesses
and have endeavored 10 ascertain facts
upon which to report their findings.
The outstanding condition is found
which causes US TO place upon the
people, themselves. the large measure
OF responsibility for the present high
prices both in clothing and food. in
that the testimony before us was con-
r.ncing that the higher priced articles
were demanded by the customer and
ohe's OF cheaper goods were rejected,
Grating thereby a shortage In the
more. costly goods and stagnation
in the other grades. To use 4 hoInely
phrase. the testimony shows that moth
ms IS TOO good nor any price too
high amongst the average presen. day
buyer.
Our efforts have been directed par
tculariy as TO the necessities and re-
port as follows:
"Bread-We ind no violation OF the
law. but there els standard in
weight OF the family loaf. a variation
OF as much as three ounces between
makers: hence tho %
OF an ordinance establishing the weight
OF each loaf sold on this market.
Limit Market Booths.
"Producc-Therc is no semblance OF
n violation in this line OF business.
but we suggest that no one person be
allowed to rent more than one space
making possible greater degree OF
competition in these public sales places.
We found one tenant for four spaces
In one market. whilst 1t was claimed
that such space was sought by others.
Milk-Whilst there is a standard
price in this city without exception.
we find no violation OF law and, in
view OF the close supervision of this
trade by the health authorities and
tho reliable statistics presented to us.
the present condition in quality and
price Is favorable to our peoples
"Ice-The conditions Indicate no
violation OF the law except It be to
provide delivery company for sew
eral OF the factories, which Is not
duce the cost of the delivered pro-
duct.
"coai-To this subject we have de-
voted much time and do not find the
coal dealers violating this law: how
ever. II is admitted that all OF the
dealers are members of an associa-
ton We find that the association
plan OF conducting this business has
cor economic reasons been fostered by
tho Federal fuel administration. These
merchants produce no article they sell,
Nt,o ta-b 1t.op ff
their expected needs, and on that
schedule cost price they establish their
selling price for a season. in spite of
the fluctuations in costs which arise
from conditions over which they have
10 control. We learned that the labor
cost in handling this product has ad-
ranced equal to. if not in excess OF.
any rise in price when compared with
Evidence of boarding.
"Sugar-Perhaps to this subject we
cause Of the immediate condition as to
supply and demand of the article. 1t
ras been reported to the grand jury
that large amount of sugar has been
received here within the past month,
and we are of the opinion that there
has been boarding of the amount re-
ceived but we failed to find sufficient
evidence to lodge an indictment
against the people who have. in our
opinion, violated the law. Repeated
instances came to our attention OF
efforts OF dealers to impose on ine,r
customers to the end of compelling
the purchase of other goods than
sugar. An indictment has been re-
turned to your court on this subject:
this Indictment having been found
after the special report made to your
court in the nature OF a warning that
combination sales were considered by
this grand jury as being illegal, as
we feel that the need of necessity
should not invoke penalty perhaps
in the shape of an article not so class
ed.
"Rcal estate-We have had access
OF the Real Estate Exchange, to which
all agents arc not members. and we
find nothing in violation of law, OK
cept it he the tariff for brokerage
charged on loans. This custom Is one
OF. long standing and being a variable
figure makes it possible of abuse al
though no case of this character has
come to our attention. AS to the in