Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-12-10
QUITS LOOKING AFTER SUGAR.
Will Confine Efforts to Prosecution
of Prof1teers.

washington, Dec. 5.-Abandon-
ment Of governmental attempts to
control the distribution and sale of
sugar was announced to-day by At
torney General Palmer.
After the sugar equalization board
is dissolved, December 81, the gov
ernment will continue its efforts to
prosecution Of profiteering in sugar,
Mr.. Palmer said.
Explaining the departments policy
for the future, Mr.. Palmer said he
had neither the power nor the fac
ilities' to control the purchase or
distribution Of sugar. This was
said to mean the end of the program
for bringing in fresh supplies Of
sugar from Cuban and other sources.
Apparently little use can be made
Of the new authority conferred upon
Mr.. Palmer by the President, who
designated him as food administra-
tor.
"a conference has been held this
morning between representatives of
the sugar equalization board and,
Department of Justice officials in
which the sugar situation was re-
Viewed" Mr.. Palmer said "The de-
partment has neither the power nor
Iho luSllitiCo Will wAlCH " COHllOl
the purchase or distribution Of sugar.
The only governmental body having
this power Is the sugar equalization
board, and Its control terminates De-
cember 81. The congress, although
requested to do so, has failed to ex-
tend the life of the board. The De-
partment Of Justice will confine it's
efforts in the future to the enforce
mont Of provisions of the Lever food
control act by prosecuting all in
stances Of sales Of sugar for an un-
just and unreasonable profit.
Il The esDepartment- of Justice has
never attempted to Ak the price of
sugar. In the past, it has accepted
the recommendation of the sugar
equalization board very largely in
The fair margins Of profit allowed;
are those established by the food
administration"
When such determinations were
made, they have been communicated
to the district attorneys, who were
advised that any sales In excess Of
the maximum figure set should be
considered unfair and unreasonable
The early termination of the sugar
equalization board will make it i'm
possible to set any definite price on
sugar In the future or control it's
distribution. Every sale will be
treated on its own merits, and all
cases where the district attorney has
evidence indicating an unfair profit
or Withholding Of sugar from the nor
NAL channels Of consumption or any
discrimination in price to the man
ufacturer or the jobber supplying
the domestic consumer will be pro-
cceded against under the Lover act"
Determination Of the Department
Of Justice to abandon it's program
was said to give full leeway for a rise
In sugar prices. While Federal
agents will continue to watch close
~ for profiteering, officials said pros
ecution necessarily would be limited
to punishment Of dealers whose
transactions are within the United
States, as the government would have
no control over the prices at which
sugar comes into the country.
The Cuban supply, recently esti-
mated at approximately 100000
tons, will be the first to which Ameri-
can refiners will turn. They, how
ever, must face stiff European COM
petition in making their purchases
In that market.