The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-25
CONGRESS TO. SEEK
END OF PRICE FIXING
Resentment Is Felt Over the
Delay Of Food Administra-
ton to Take Action.
RICE COST TO BE PROBED
Members Are Told Consumers
Interests Have Been Prac-
tically Ignored.
Special Despoteh TO TIE SLY.

WASHINGTON, Jan. "a. - Resentment
against the failure Of the Administration
10 take steps toward a termination of the
price fixing policy under which the Food
Administration has operated since Its
formation is rapidly taking form in Con-
sress and may result soon in a pointed
demand from that body for early action
In the face of the announced willing
ness OF Congress to make good obliga-
tons OF the Food Administration in re-
gard to coming crops, particularly OF
wheat, 1t Is charged that there is a re-
ductance on the part of the Administra-
ton to advance any definite proposals on
which legislation can be based.
Details OF operations OF tho Food Ad-
ministraion are daily being called to the
attention of Congress, stories that while
not necessarily accepted as Of high value
carry with them sufficient weight to call
for a statement OF fact from the Food
Administration. In all these reports Il
the charge that operations OF the Food
Administration at no time considered the
consumer as having equal bearing with
those of the producer or distributor.
Consumer Not Considered.
Price fixing agreements. 1t ia charged,
were planned and entered into at con-
ferences at which the consumer, II not
barred, was not adequately represented.
Members OF the Committee OF Agricul-
ture OF the House for weeks have been
awaiting proposal as to legislation by
which the Government price of $2.26 on
bushel on wheat could be continued In
SO far as the price paid the producer is
concerned while permitting a return as
far as the price paid by the consumer
is concerned to a world market figure.
to riaIn
Precipitation of revolving fund sufficient
to care for the difference between the
Government price and the world market
price must be passed before the end Of
the session TO be effective. Further
more. members OF Congress say uncer-
ta!nty over the policy of the Government
Is unsettling the market and is liable 10
change the present surplus OF wheat into
serious deficit. These members are
urging the Food Administration daily to
present its views to the Agricultural
Committee, but apparently there is no
disposition on the part of Mr.. Hoover g
Office TO present any plan.
Edward Flash. Jr.. president OF the
New York Produce Exchange, was in
Washington to-day comforting with Sem
ator Calder and Representative Gould o.
New York. who have shown particular
interest in the attempt of produce ex-
changes throughout the country TO pro-
cure a return to normal trading condi-
lions.
Mr.. Flash came to Washington TO pre-
sent at tho White House the resolution
adopted by the New York Produce Ex-
change against a continuation Of arti-
fclal price fixing. While here II is his
20 H.
istration his own services and those of
other members OF the New York Produce
Exchange In working out q plan to end
the present situation.
The charge that the Food Admin ST =
tion through an agreement with rice
producers and rice millers caused an
artificial increase Of approximately 100
per cent. on rice and maintains that
price by barring imports Of Asatic rice.
of which a vast supply was and still Is
available. was called 10 the attention OF
Congress to-day and resulted in a de
mand for information addressed to the
Food Administration by Representative
Gould.
According to the information which
reached members Of Congress to-day the
War Trade Board at the request OF the
Food Administration declared an EN-
barge on importations of Asiatic rice
last July. The embargo vas requested
by the Food Administration. it is
charged to make good agreements be-
tween rice producers. rice milers and
the Food Administration. though the en-
barge Was announced as required by the
scarcity Of bottoms from India. the
Straits Settlements and China. This
scarcity. II is charged, did not and does
not now exist.
charged the cost OF rice TO the consumer
pound. although the United States Grain
Corporation, subsidiary OF tho Food
Administration. was able to sell rice TO
the army nj cents a pound.
Early this month the War Trade
Board announced the lifting Of this EN-
barge whereupon tho price o. rice
started down. It is said. In view OF the
effect upon holdings in this country, II is
stated. the Food Administration do
manded n restoration OF the embargo
and this was done within two weeks
before any Asiatic rico could be I'M
ported.
Rice Information Dema nded.
In View OF these charges Representa-
tive Gould to-day introduced a resolu-
llpu tlo bHlttu states
Food Administration be. and the same
hereby is, directed TO inform the House
of Representatives at tho earliest prac-
tkal moment first, as TO the character,
scope. purpose cpd effect of any con-
tracts. agreements or understandings
entered into by the United States Food
Administration with producers or millers
of rice. or agencies marketing or dis
tributing rice or rice products In this
country; and. second. az 10 the charac-
ter. scope. purpose and effect of any
recommendations or re-
quests made on the United States War
Trade Board involving embargoes or
other artificial restrictions on the inpor-
tation OF rice into the United States;
and
THAT the United States Food Admin
istration be. and the same hereby Is, d.
rected TO submit to the House OF Repre-