Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-08-27

ends OF the earth. All these things must
remain uncertain until peace is estab-
lished and the nations of the world have
concerted the methods by which normal
life and industry are 10 be restored.
All that we shall do in the mean
time to restrain prohteering and put
the life of our people upon a tolera Bile
footing will be makeshift and provi
sional. There can be no settled condi-
ton here or elsewhere until the treaty
OF peace is out of the way and the
work Of liquidating the war has be-
come the chief concern OF our govern
ment and OF the other governments of
the world. Until then business will
inevitably remain speculative and sway
now this way and again that. with
heavy losses or heavy gains, as il may
chance, ard the consumer must take
care of both the gains and the losses.
There can be no peace prices so long as
cur whole financial and economic sys-
tenn is on war basis.
Europe Must Know Situation.
Europe will not. cannot recoup her
capital or put her restless distracted
peoples to work until she knows exact
lY where she stands in respect to
peace. and what we will do is for her
the chief question upon which her qui-
etude OF mind and confidence of pur-
pose depends While there is any pos
ability that the peace terms may be
changed or may be held long in abey-
ance. or may not be enforced because
OF divisions OF opinion among the pow
ers associated against Germany. 1t is
idle to look for permanent relief
Points Out Present Duty.
But what we can do we should do.
and should do at once. And there is
a great deal that VIC can do. provision
A a
credits to facilitate the purchase OF our
wheat can and will be limited and con
trolled in such way as not to raise
but rather TO lower the price of -four
here The government has the power,
within certain limits, to regulate that
We cannot deny wheat to foreign peo-
pies who are IN dire need OF IL. and we
do not wish 10 do 50; but, fortunately
though the wheat crop is not what
we hoped II would be. II is abundant
II handled with provident care. The
price OF wheat is lower in the United
states than In Europe. and with proper
management can be kept So
Immediate Relief Measures.
BY wav OF immediate relief. surplus
stocks Of both food and clothing in the
hands Of the government viii be sold and
Of course sold at prices at which there
Is no profit. And by way of r2ore per
manent correction OF prices surplus
stocks IN private hands will be drawn out
of storage and put upon the market. For
tunatcly under the terms OF the food-eon-
troll act the boarding OF foodstuffs can
be checked and prevented, and they will
be, with the greatest energy. Foodstuffs
can be drawn out OF storage and sold by
legal action which the department of
justice will institute wherever necessary;
- IL.
Cally dealt with II is not likely that the
courts viii often have 20 be resorted to.
Much OF the accommodating Of stocks has
no doubt been due to the sort of specu-
lation which always results from uncer-
tainty. Great surpluses were accumu-
lated because II was impossible to foresee
what the market would disclose and deal
ers were determined to be ready for
whatever might happen, as well as eager
TO reap the full advantage of rising
prices. They will now see the disadvan-
tsge, well as the danger. of holding
off from the new process Of distribution.
Significant Facts Quoted
Some very interesting and significant
facts with regard to stocks on hand and
the rise OF prices in the face of abund-
ance have been disclosed by the inquiries
of the department of agriculture, the de-
commission.
They seem to justify the statement that
in the case Of many necessary commodi-
ties effective means have been found TO
prevent the normal operation OF the law
of supply and demand
II would serve as useful example to
the other communities OF this country, as
well as greatly relieve local distress II the
congress were to regulate all such mat
ha .
bia, whore its legislative authority is
without limit.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
l would also recommend that Il be
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes 1t
possible be plainly marked with the
price at which they left the hands of
the producer. Such requirement.
would hear a close analogy TO certain
provisions OF the pure food act by which
IL is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packages ct foods and drugs.
And il does not seem to me that we
could confine ourselves to detailed
measures OF this kind II IL is indeed
our purpose TO assume national control
Of the processes of distribution.
take Il for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
will suffice, We need not hesitate to
handle a national question in ma
tional way We should go beyond the
measures l have suggested. We should
formulate a law requiring a federal
license Of all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying in
the license. or in the conditions under
which IL IS to be issued specific regu-
lattops designed 10 secure competitive
selling ana prevent uncouscionable
profits In the method OF marketing
Law Would Do Much.
Such a law would afford a welcome op-
portunity TO effect other much-needed re-
forms in the business Of interstate ship
Went and in the methods OF corporations
which are engaged In It; but for the mo-
ment l confine my recommendations 70 the
object Immediately IN hand, which is to
lower the COS, OF living.
May l not add that there is a bill now
pending before the congress which, II
passed. would do much to stop speculation
ana 10 prevent the fraudulent methods Of
promotion by which our people are an
nually heeced of many millions of hard
earned money. l refer to the measure
/ proposed by the capital issues committee
for the control OF security issues 1t is a
measure formulated by men who know
the actual conditions OF business. and its
adoption would serve a great and bene-
hcent purpose
We are dealing. gentlemen OF the con-