The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-08-16
CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY FOR RE-
DUCTION OF HIGH COST OF LIVING

In an address on the high cost of living,
President Wilson, in effect, told Congress,
on August s, that such steps as are now be-
ing taken, while going far toward checking
the flight of prices, cannot reach the funda-
mentals of the problem, and these, he said,
! could not be solved until the great war-worn
nations Of the world resumed normal pro-
duction. He declared that the prerequisite
for such resumption of normal production
must necessarily be the ratification of the
peace treaty and the Inauguration of pro-
cesses of mutual international assistance de-
rived from the operation of the league of
nations.
By way of immediate relief, he declared
| that surplus stocks of both food and cloth
ing in hands of the government would be
sold at prices showing no profit. He also
stated that large surplus stocks in the hands
of private individuals would be taken out of
storage and put upon the market. He drew
attention to the fact that stocks of food held
in storage on June this year were approx
imately twenty per cent greater than those
held on June l, 1918. There was therefore
no shortage, and the prevailing high prices
were caused largely by speculation.
He declared that some of the methods by
which high prices are produced are illegal,
some of them criminal, and that those who
set them will be energetica1ly proceeded
sagainst
The fact was brought out that it is quite
practical for the government to supply the
public with full information as to the whole
sale cost of foodstuffs as we'll as the cost of
transportation, thus showing Just what mar
gin of profit retailers are demanding.
Regarding the labor situation, he express
ed his belief that the more radical leaders
of organized labor will presently yield to a
second sober thought, and that they will see
that strikes undertaken at this critical time
are certain to make matters worse, not bet
ter " worse for them and for nobody else.
Attorney General Palmer, this week, is
said to have expressed the opinion that the
publicity of fair lists Of prices, which the
state food administrators have agreed to re-
sume posting, will accomplish more than any
other single device in checking extortionate
demands from the consuming public. Food
administrators in every state, therefore,
have been requested by the Attorney Gen
eral to begin the formation of fair price
committees.
Once fair prices are arrived at and posted
by the food administrators, all the strength
of the department Of justice will be brought
to bear to maintain observance of these
prices. Any violations will be reported to
the nearest United States district attorney,
who will be authorized to proceed at once
against the profteer. All special agents of
the department of justice throughout the
country have been ordered to assist district
attorneys in uncovering evidence of profit
eering in foodstuffs and the other necessities
of life.
According to newspaper reports, prices on
certain commodities already have begun to
tumble as a result of this campaign. The
United States Food Administration has is
sued an order setting the retail price of
sugar at | | cents pound. Reductions have
been made in the price of potatoes, vege-
tables, dressed meats and fruits.