Williams news., 1919-08-22

THE VII gress, need hardly say, with very critical | and very difficult matters. We should go forward with confidence along the road we see, but should also seek to com prehend the whole of the scene amidst which we act. There is no ground for some or the fearful forecasts l hear ut tered about me, but the condition of the world is unQueStionably very grave and we should face it comprehendingly. The situation of our own country is excep- t1onately fortunate. We of all peoples can afford to keep our heads and to de- termine upon moderate and sensible courses of action which will insure us against the passions and distempers which are working such deep unhappiness for some of the distressed nations on the other side of the sea.
 But we may be involved in their dis tresses unless we help, and help with en- ergy and intelligence
 Disregarding the surplus stock in the hands of the government there was greater supply of foodstuffs in this coun- try on June l of this year than at the same date last year. In the combined to- tai of a number of the most important foods in dry and cold storage the excess Is quite 19 per cent. And yet prices have risen.
 The supply of fresh eggs on hand in June of this year.. for example, was greater by nearly 10 per cent than the
 
 year, and yet the wholesale price of eggs was 40 cents a dozen, as against 30 cents a year ago. The stock of frozen fowls had increased more than 29S per cent, and yet the prices had risen also from 341a cents per pound to 37k cents. The supply of creamery butter had increased 129 per cent and the price from fl to 53 cents per pound The supply of salt beef had been augmented per cent and the price had gene up from $34 barrel to $36 a barrel Canned in ly s2 per cent and had remained sub stantially the same in price.
 Few Price Drops Not Enough.
 In a few foodstufrs the prices had de- clined, but in nothing like the proportion in which the supply had increased. For example, the stock of canned tomatoes had increased 102 per cent, and yet the price had declined only 25 cents per dozen cans. In some cases there had been the usual result of increase of price following a decrease of supply, but in almost every instance the increase of price had been disproportionate to the decrease in stock.
 Law Department Active.
 The attorney general has been making a careful study of the situation as a whole and of the laws that can be ap- piled to better it and is convinced that, under the stimulation and temptation of exceptional circumstances, combinations of producers and combinations of traders have been formed for the control of sup plies and of prices which are clearly in restraint of trade, and against these pros cautions will be promptly instituted and actively pushed which will in all hken- hood have prompt corrective effect There Is reason to believe that the prices of leather, of coal. of lumber and of tex tiles have been materially affected by forms of concert and cooperation among the producers and marketers of these and other universally necessary commodities which 1t will be possible to redress. No watchful or energetic effort will be spared to accomplish this necessary re- suit trust that there will not be many cases in which prosecution will be neces- sary. Public action will doubt cause many who have perhaps unwittingly l adopted illegal methods to abandon them and of their own motion.
 Publicity Will Do Much.
 And publicity accomplish a great deal The purchaser can often take care | of himself if he knows the facts and i'm | duences he is dealing with, and purchas- CTS are not d1sinclined to do anything, ei- | ther .singly or collectively. that may be | necessary for their se1f-protection.
 The department of commerce, the | department of agriculture, the depart | nent of labor and the federal trade | can do a great deal toward | supplying the public systematically | md at short intervals. with informa- ion regarding the actual supply of | particular commodities that is in ex- stence and available with regard to | supplies which are in existence but not | with regard to the methods of price fix ng which are being used by dealers in certain foodstuffs and other necessities.
 Retailers in Part to Blame.
 There can be little doubt that retaiI- ITS are in part-sometimes in large 'art-responsib1e for exorbitant prices; ind it is quite practicable for the gov through the agencies I have mentioned, to supply the public with | u1l information to the prices at which retailers buy and as to the costs If transportation they pay in order hat it may be known just what mar .in of profit they are demanding. Opin- on and concerted action on the part of 'urchasers can probably do the rest.
 Congress Must Supply Funds.
 That is, these agencies may perform this service provided the con- .ress will supply them with the neces- ary funds to prosecute their inquiries md keep their price lists up to date. he house have not always, fear, seen he full value of these inquiries, and the apartments and commissions have been cry much straitened for means to ren- provided by appropriation for this pur- 'ose, and provided as promptly pos ible. Is one of the means of greatly the. present distressing con- itions of livelihood that I come to urge n this attempt to concert with you the est ways to serve the country in this mergency.
 It is one of the absolutely necessary leans. underlying many others, and can e supplied at once.
 There are many other ways. Existing aw is inadequate There are many per- ectly legitimate methods by which the | overnment can exercise restraint and 
 Let urge, in the first place, that he present foodstuf control act should