Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-12-23

Although statistics compiled annu-
ally by the government show that
IN previous years retail food prices
increased during the fall months, Mr..
Palmer said that since August this
year such prices had been maintained
practically stationary.
Only since October % when neces-
sary amendments to the lever food
control act were passed. the attorney
generals statement said. has it been
possible 70 deal effectively with all
cases of profiteering and boarding.
From October % TO date 179 prosecu-
tions have been instituted and prose
cutions and seizures have covered Is
states. IT was added.
Due 10 cooperation between the
government and various retail mer-
chants associations. the statement
said. prevailing profits of clothing had
been reduced from as low as r1ve per
cent in some cases 10 as high as 80
per cent. in others
The statement which was issued with
the authorization of the government
officials associated with the attorney
general Ill the campaign 20 force down
living costs. including Director Geler'
al. of Railroads Hines. was considered
in some quarters as d summary Of the
governments position in the face of the
recently renewed demands of railroad
workers Tor an increase N pay. The
railroad shopment publicly. and other
railroad crafts tacitly. agreed IN Au-
gust, at the suggestion OF President
Wilson. 10 postpone their demands fer
increased pay for 80 days 10 await ef-
forts of the government TO bring down
prices.
IN August said the attorney gen.
erals statement ''in connection with
demands for Increased wages by rail-
road shopInen based ON the increased
cost Of living, the President announced
70 the public that the view that the
COST of living would be lowered AS soon
as there were settled conditions of PRO-
duction and Of commerce. as soon as
the treaty of peace was ratified and as
soon as merchants. manufacturers.
farmers and miners had a certain ba-
sis of calculation. In a statement 70
the shopmen themselves tn President
declared that the primary step was 10
increase production and facilitate trans
portation SO as to make Up FOR the de-
terrible scarcities il created. The Pres
ident added that the government had
taken up with all possible vigor the
task of bringing the profiteer to book.
making the stocks of necessities in the
country available AT lower prices stirn-
ulating production and facilitating dis-
trtbut!on.
The movement inaugurated al thar
time to gain control over the cost Of
living has been largely in the hands Of
the department of justice.
Taking retail food prices as a basis
the index numbers Of the United States
bureau OF labor statistics from 1871 TO
1919 Indicate that Up 10 1919 there has
been a noticeable trend upward in such
prices in the fall of the year. whereas
since August this year such retail food
prices have been kept practically sta
tionarv
This year during September and oe-
tober an actual reduction in the general
levei of retail prices was effected as
compared with August. while the figure
for November although slightly abore
that Of October shows no increase
above the August returns.
The history of retail food prices in
dicates that a decided downward trend
ordinarily may be expected in the part
OF the rear between January and
March i. and it is to be hoped that this
trend will be accelerated this year by
the campaign initiated hy the govern
ment which Is Just now getting well un.
der way