The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-01
A Bit of Advice.

Active cooperation with the food administra-
tons of the various states to reduce cost of the
necessities of life and curb profteers has been
urged upon the farmers of America who are
members of war savings societies by William
Nather Lewis, director of the savings division of
the treasury department.
Mr. Lewis pointed out that none is in better
position to know real facts as to production and
fair prices than the farm members of the 100000
savings societies in America. He declared
each member owned plain duty to cooperate
with the food administrators to the utmost to es-
tablish and publish fair prices and to discover
and prosecute cases of profiteering.
Checking of waste and increase of produc-
ton peremptorily necessary measures to be
taken to reduce living COSTS" said Mr.. Lewis. A
veritable orgy of extravaganza is going on.
Every sound analysis of the present price
situation lends confirmation to the decision of
Governor w. P. G. Harding, of the federal reserve
board that solution of high costs can be
reached until the country shakes off its present
spending intoxication and settles down to de-
manding the receipt of a dollars worth of food
Or material, measured by the labor or effort re-
CURED to obtain that dollar.
"One great trouble is that millions of persons
not spending from their earnings but from
their savings of the past two years.
Liberty Bonds and other securities accumu-
lated by the most worthy patriotic sacrifice dur
ing the war, are being cashed at a loss to pur-
chase luXuries at prices eXorbitant even for lux
uries. The people have themselves to blame if
prices of necessities have followed the prices of
iuxuries up, when merchants observed the abso-
lutte carelessness with which people parted with
their money. The farmers of the country are
not exempt from this extravaganza. We read
without particular surprise, because of numer-
Gus similar instances, of farmer buying out the
entire stock of expensive haberdashery in the
store where he previously accustomed to
drive hard bargains for necessities.
1T is absolutely necessary, as Governor Hard
ing has pointed out, to work regularly and eff
GENTLY in order to produce and distribute the
largest possible volume of commodities and to
exercise reasonable economies in order that
money, goods and services may be devoted pri-
marily to the liquidation of debt and to the sat-
isfaction of the demand for necessities, rather
than indulgence of desires for luxuries.
Enrolled in the savings societies are more
than six million people, close to the very heart of
American industrial life 1t is in their power tc
increase the flow of production through the art
cries of industry. 1t is in their power to check
waste not only amongst themselves and those
dependent on them but amongst all in the COM
nunties in which they live.
They can do this by wise buying and by treat
ing what they buy with respect due to the hours
of labor its purchase cost them. 1t lies in their
power through regular and consistent saving and
safe and conservative investment in such securi-
ties War Savings Stamps and Savings Certifi-
Gates, to add to the capital necessary for the in.
dustrial expansion and increased production.
The chief complaint of the nation on the high
cost of living is directed at the cost of food tc
the consumer. The middle men who are accused
of profiteering can be made to lower prices most
effectively if great quantities of food are pro-
duced. 1t is the duty of every farmer to make