Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-23
SS-MEET|NG PLANNED
TO DISCUSS HIGH PRICES
Citizens Expected to Gather at John
Marshall School Next Sat-
urday Night.
PROPOSE SURVEY OF STORES
commemorative Attorney Wise Be-
hind Movement TO Secure Evidence
Which May BE Used to Halt
ProttccrinG i'm Richmond.

ARRANGEMENTS are under way for a
maSS- meeting to he held Saturday
nisht - the John Marshall High School
AUDITORIUM. a which plans Will be
discussed for the collection of evidence
Richmond.
Wise is behind the movement for the
mass meeting. which also has the CO.
operation of Colonel Charles X. Kelley.
secretary Of the Virginia Council Of
Nationa! Defense. which is promoting
the organization OF fair-pricc liking
committees throughout the State.
1t is proposed TO select representa-
tives from every voting precinct of
the city At the meeting Saturday night.
who viii make a SURVEY Of the prices
charged in their precinct by store
keepers ana who will report TO the cit
zcns on their findings. /; is hoped
in this manner TO ferret out proiitecrs
and TO bring them 20 light.
Wise Makes Statement.
More definite arrangements for the
meeting TO which the general public
Will be urged TO attend Will be an
nounccd today. Discussing the pro-
posal last night, Commonw calth's At
torncy Wise stated:
Il believe that tho bulk of the in
dustrial unrest affecting this country
is tr@ceablc directly 10 tho cNtortlonatc
prices charged for the necessities OF
life When the war was upon MS labor
and capital stood shoulder TO shoulder,
and high prices were endured because
there was reason for them. and an
excuse for them. The reason ana the
excuse no longer exist. but the prices
are still climbing, and ;he reople are
rropjng in the dark for relief ana
finding none.
under existing Federal laws and , SUI
,nG PrSss the go V HP h"e HsSP!f
State law on the subject, and on me
9th day OF This month one was pasSvu,
into immediate effect. 1t is my GUY.
it is enforced and propose TO do So
tho people--the corsumcrs-have a
part to perform'. , WHilnont r wn1Gm We
mniarize themselves With this law,
cannot he done under it and want
to make some suggestions IN connec'
tiou with the question OF the enforce,
mcnt of this law that believe VIII
hc helpful-at any rate | am sure they
will not do any harm.
Invite All to Mnss-MertinE.
ITO this end l have under consid,,
raSn Of h fga %S h ie es the ost
vital interest in this question, TO, at
tend mass meeting next Ssturday
OF the Richmond high school; for
discussion of this law ana the best
means to plt II !ntp elective Operdt lON
one of the things want to suggest
is that several representative heads OF
families from each OF the thiry,one
voting precincts OF the city shall b.
formed into a working committee, and
make a complete canvass of prices and
conditions, and The causes OF the same
and then put their informa ton into
tangible shape TO prosecute the viola
tors OF the law
the bottom OF conditions TO find them.
l. j. worse than idle 10 abuse and
Slaader tho merchants Of our city as =
whole and as class. We must be
fair with hem and If they are paving
eX'ort!onate prices 20 the wholesaler
aud The producer and are thereby
forced 10 raise prices on the consumer
there is a way TO reach the producer
Provisions Come From Distance.
In This connection we mast remcm-
Der that tens, yes hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars worth of the ncces-
points beyond chis state through the
big packing houses and food-product
coiporat.ons OF nation vide promi-
hence There is'a way TO find out
what our merchants have 10 pay them.
AND II ta"y are proAtcering either sep
a.atc.y. or IN conjunction with the
:aersh a"t, there is remedy.
. one dig ta!ng % remember is that
THIS question Is one Of nation wide
Importance. Uulcss the situation is
!c:r=C!eI 40 man "a n measure the pos
s.b!e Consequences, but, beyond all. the
people themselves must get busy. be-
cause from me very nature Of things Il
general Law ot the kind our Legislature
saa just passed cannot be made ctfec-
i've Unless those whose duty Il is 70
see tina; the Law is enforced nave the
means ot occurring evidence of the laws
violation.
= haze suggested tho meeting for
next Saturday night because | believe
ma, out o: II We may get some plans
Cor ce:..tt action"