The sun., 1919-04-29
SEES NO REASON
FOR HIGH PRICES
A. w. Douglas in Convention
in st. Louis Says They Are
Kept Up Unnaturally.
HITS FEDERAL CONTROL
Councillors Advocate Budget
System for the United
States Government.

ST. Louis, April 3s.-High prices con-
tinue without the slightest reason un-
der the SUM-" A. w. Douglas Of st.
Louis, chief statistician of the Chamber
OF Commerce of tho United States, to-
night told the representatives of @
thousand American trade organizations
in convention here. He added that there
had been some decline and declared that
II the law of supply and demand were
given freedom of operation the decline
would continue until normal level
would be reached
In touching on transportation and It's
effect on business. he brought the dele
gates to their feet In a burst of applause
when he declared that the unfortunate
state to which transportation has fallen
under Government control IL n splendid
example Of incompetence and extrava-
gance,"
In speaking before the National
Councillors of the Chamber, which took
up score of American business prob
lems to be substituted to the general
convention tomorrow, Mr.. Douglas
pointed to the Government estimate Of
soO.o0o.00o bushels of winter wheat, de-
clared there would be moro grain avail
able for export than our ships could
move and added that there Is more live
stock in the country than ever before
After considerable debate the National
Councillors adopted a resolution advo-
eating budget system for the Govern
ment and recommending that the Cham
Der carry on campaign in behalf OF the
project in all parts of the country.
In its annual report the committee
on statistics and standards criticised
the method of the Department OF Agri-
culture in preparing estimates OF the
n xstn al ~ -
mend that Congress be urged to provide
more liberal appropriations for the De-
partment
American business Is determined TO
meet the needs OF this nation and for
eign countries during the remainder of
the readjustment period and after.
leaders in finance and industry declared
to-day at the convention of the Chamber
Of Commerce OF the United States.
But to carry out this programme. the
speakers warned, there must be no
further delay in bringing about closest
cooperation Of all branches of finance
and industries. Relations between tbs
Government and business must be such
as to instill greatest confidence. they
declared
With cooperation Of all forces, Amer
lea will be able Immediately to develop
her foreign trade. which was character
lied by some delegates as "a respon-
sibility TO the rest OF the world"
Obstacles and setbacks encountered
by business generally since the signing
Of the armistice are being overcome
gradually, according to reports of dis
trict leaders OF 1000 or more delegates
| at the convention.
Grain men Of the Northwest. lumber
men of the far West. cotton men of the
South and industrial leaders Of the
East had problems TO place in the bis
melting pot, out OF which the conven-
tion hopes to mold complete policy fol
| the conduct OF the nations business.
! The unemployment question particu
| larry as 1t pertains to returned soldiers
will be taken up by the convention. Re
ports submitted to-day indicate that the
| situation had been relieved somewha
by opening of spring work and by thu
fact that soldiers are returning ir
smaller groups.