Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1919-08-16

gross, need hardly ray. with very critical
and very dimcult matters We should 90
| FORWARD with confidence along the road
We see. but we should also seek to COM
prehend the whole of the scene amidst
| which we act There IL no ground for
some OF the fearful forecasts l hear ut
tered about me. but the condition Of the
world Is unquestionably very grave and
| we should face 1t comprehendingly. The
| situation of our own country is excep-
tionately fortunate. We Of all peoples
can afford to keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses of action which will insure US
against the passions and distempers which
| some OF the distressed nations on the
! other side of the sea.
But we may be involved in their dis
| tresses unless we help. and help with en-
ergy and intelligence.
| Disregarding the surplus stock in the
/ hands of the government, there was q
| greater supply of foodstuffs In this coun-
| try on June l of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to-
| tai of a number Of the most important
foods in dry and cold storage the excess
is quite 10 per cent. And yet prices have
| risen.
| The supply Of fresh eggs on hand in
1
| greater by nearly 10 per cent than the
supply on hand at the same time last
| year. and yet the wholesale price of eggs
| was 40 cents a dozen. as against 80 cents
| year ago. The stock Of frozen fowls
| had increased more than 29S per cent, and
yet the prices had risen also from 341a
| cents per pound to 37h cents. The supply
| of creamery butter had increased 12S per
! cent and the price from II to So cents per
pound. The supply of salt beef had been
| augmented per cent and the price had
| gene up from $34 barrel to $36 a barrel.
| Canned corn had increased in stock near
| ly 90 per cent and had remained SUBJ
stantially the same in price.
Few Price Drops Not Enough.
In few foodstuffs the prices had de-
| clined but in nothing like the proportion
| in which the supply had increased. For
example, the stock Of canned tomatoes
had increased 1O2 per cent, and yet tho
! price had declined only Is cents per
| dozen cans. In some cases there had
| been the usual result of an increase Of
price following decrease of supply, but
| in almost every instance the increase Of
price had been disproportionate to the
decrease in stock.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
careful study of the situation as
whole and of the laws that can be ap-
piled to better it and is convinced that
| under the stimulation and temptation of
exceptional circumstances, combinations
of producers and combinations of traders
have been formed for the control of sup
plies and of prices which are clearly in
restraint of trade. and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which will in all likeli-
hood have prompt corrective effect.
There is reason to believe that the prices
of leather, of coal, of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected by
forms of concert and cooperation among
the producers and marketers of these and
other universally necessary commodities
which 1t will be possible to redress. No
watchful or energetic effort will be
spared to accomplish this necessary re-
suit. l trust that there will not be many
cases in which prosecution will be neces-
sary. Public action win no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwittingly
adopted Illegal methods to abandon them
promptly and of their own motion.
Publicity Will Do Much.
And publicity can accomplish great
DEAL The purchaser can often take care
Of himself IL he knows the facts and in
fuences he is dealing with, and purchas-
ers are not disinclined to do anything, Ell
Their singly or collectively, that may be
necessary for their self protection.
The department of commerce. the
department of agriculture, the depart
ment Of labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal toward
supplying the public systematically
and at short intervals, with informa-
ton regarding the actual supply of
particular commodities that is in ex-
istence and available with regard to
supplies which are in existence but not
Nxyit ~ ar6 To thn oil 1c 81 ~ A.
ing which are being used by dealers in
certain foodstuffs and other necessities.
Retailers in Part TO Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
ers are in part-sometimes in large
part-responsible for exorbitant prices;
and 1t Is quite practicable for the gov
eminent through the agencies l have
mentioned. to supply the public with
full information as to the prices at
which retailers buy and as to the costs
of transportation they pay in order
that it may be known just what mar
gin of profit they are demanding. Opin-
ion and concerted action on the part of
purchasers can probably do the rest.
Congress Must Supply Funds.
That is, these agencies may perform this
indispensable service provided the con-
gross will supply them with the neces-
and keep their price lists up to date.
Hitherto the appropriation committees of
the house have not always, I fear, seen
the full value of these inquiries. and the
departments and commissions have been
very much straitened for means to rem
der this service. That adequate funds be
provided by appropriation for this pur-
pose, and provided as promptly as pos
sible, Is one of the means of greatly
ameiorating the present distressing con-
ditions of livelihood that I come to urge,
in this attempt to concert with you the
best ways to serve the country in this
emergency.
1t Is one of the absolutely necessary
means, underlying many others. and can
be supplied at once.
There are many otner ways. Existing
law is inadequate. There are many per-
fectly legitimate methods by which the
government can exercise restraint and
guidance.
Let me urge. in the first place, that
tha preSant fO0dstnff crsnfrOl shOuld