Evening star., 1919-08-18
T0FAIR
PRICE ASSOCIATION
Consumers Delegate May
Resign-BeIieves Commit
tee Topheavy.
DOUBT EFFICACY OF PLAN

Plans for the organization of a
fair price association OF wholesale
and retail food dealers at Business
High School Thursday night went
forward today, despite considerable
uncertainty as to whether the project
would receive the full support of the
fair price committee appointed by
Clarence r. Wilson, former FOOD ao-
ministrator.
The suEzestion originated with the
COMMITTEES, but a lukewarm attitude
toward it has developed upon the
part of the members representing
consumers at large. Food dealers COM
plete the personnel of the committee.
One of the consumers delegates Is
considering resigning because he con-
siders the committee topheavy with
those having an active interest IN
the food business
1t has been plainly indicated by a
number of developments that what-
ever public mistrust there may be OF
food dealers as a class. as far as
proflteering goes, is shared largely by
the consumers serving on Mr. Will
sons committee.
Doubt Ehicacy Of Plan.
While no unfriendly criticisms have
been voiced at the meetings, 1t mas
been made plain that the consumers
doubt the efficacy of the fa1r price
association plan as a means OF lower .
ing prices and that they are hesltant
about assuming partial responsibility
for something they believe Will not
work. Some have gone as far as to
predict tho association would teno TO
raise the level of prices.
This fear is predicated on the possi-
bility of all dealers selling at the
highest margins possible, II the as
sociaNon should agree to abide by the
margin Of profits promulgated by the
food administration as a war measure.
Clarence r. Wilson's relation to the
movement is a difficult one for the
former food administrator. He h&6
appointed on his committee represent
atives of both the food industry and
the consumers, because only in this
way, he believes, can full information
be obtained as to the problem OF the
dealers as well as of the househoiders
The same representation was given
in the appointment of the fair price
COMMITTEES that served during the war.
bue in the present crisis 1t has
evoked criticism on the part OF many
who believe the trade should have no
representation whatever on such
committee. aF
Good May Result. &c.,,
Mr.. Wilson believes that If the deal
ers here agree to sell at the margins
established by the food administration
during the war no harm and, very
likely, considerable good will result
He thinks the plan deserving OF
pressed a similar opinion. Mr. Palmer
in fact, Is expected to address the
meeting Thursday night at which the
proposed association is scheduled to
come into existence.
What the exact relation OF Mr.. Will
SON to the association will be remains
to be seen. 1t is announced the mem
bers propose to make their invoices
public and to do their own policing
TOT + Is anticipsted Mr.. Wilson. posi-
big with the backing of the Depart
ment of Justice. win exercise gen
eral supervision over the operations
Of the association. Including the ex-
animation of invoices and the policins
activities. S55"Hi a'f
Members of the fair price commit
tee who are dealers very frankly
state their belief that the association
will not tend to lower prices. But
they equally are Of tho opinion that
it will tend to stabilize prices and
make proflteering very dtmcult.
All Combating II. G. L.
This will be a week of numerous
meetings of citizens' bodies. all
wrestling with the problem of how
to reduce the high cost Of living in
Washington. s
Tonight the executive committee OF
the Citizens Cooperative Buying
League will assemble at the municipal
building to perfect a plan for per-
manent organization, which will be
presented at a general meeting of the
league to be held in the District build
ing Friday.
John q. McGrath's Federal EN-
ployes' Union food committee. which
il preparing a bill for presentation
to Congress. under which cooperative
buying societies may incorporate.
also will meet tonight.
There will be meeting OF Mr.. Will
sons fair-price committee and other
meetings this week. in addition to the
ono to be held at Business High
school Thursday night.
Delivery Of the Army foods to the
Ash market was expected to be COM
pleted today, and indications are that
these supplies, comprising five car
loads, will start out tomorrow to the
several community centers and other
auxiliary distribution points. The
foods should begin reaching Wash
inston homes by Wednesday.