Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-19

Scales of retail meat prices recon-
mended several weeks ago by the meat
subcommittee of the fair-price COM
mittee may be made public tomorrow
or early next week, according to an
nouncement today by Clarence r. Will
son, food administrator for the Depart
ment Of Justice and head of the fair
price committee.
| Among the questions on which inves-
legations have been completed, it was
stated. are retail prices of women's
clothing and shoes, perishable groceries
and fruits. mems apparel and shoes,
meats of all kinds, milk, sugar, and, in
tact, the entire range of necessary COM
mOditieS.
Statement by Mr.. Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson issued the following state
ment, dealing with reports of differences
IN the committee and alleged inactivity:
| mere Is no split in the policy of
the fair price committee, nor is there
any disagreement as to policy of Sc
crecy or any other policy.
| THE board has published whatever
iacts OF interest have been found for
the public and will continue to do so.
| fThese facts may be given out in
more systematic manner in the future
since Mr.. E. D. Atkinson has been
appointed executive secretary of the
committee and will have them in charge
"As to the charges concerning the
scale Of meat prices, such a scale has
been prepared and will soon be publish
ed. Whatever delay there has been in
getting the scale of meat prices out is
due to unavoidable causes. And this
scale mas not been pigeonholed, as this
once has no pigeonholes.
AS to the milk cases reported by
DR.. Fowler. all these cases were sent
| TO the district attorney for prosecu-
ton. l do not believe that Mr.. Las
key has .pigeonholed these cases, but
| If there has been delay, it is due to
| the pressure of business
| 1T is stated in the charges that II
is the belief of some members of the
| committee that no action or agrees
sive action is possible as the body is
now constituted. The chairman has
not been informed to that effect.
"As chairman Of the fair price COM
mittee. 1 agree that the public has a
| right to know what the committee
does.
'The various subcommittee have
| held frequent meetings, but none can
be said to have made a final report.
Other meetings of these committees
are planned for the imm ediate future.
| The public can rest assured that
members of the fair price committee
! are giving serious attention to the
difficult and complex problems pre-
sented to them, and all charges of
prohteering are promptly investigated
and acted upon"
Mr.. Atkinson Defends Mr.. Laskey.
Mr.. Atkinson also came to the de-
Tense of District Attorney Laskey. He
| said:
IT am sure that whoever made the
charge against Mr.. Laskey is not suf-
ficiently acquainted with the cases to
pass judgment on the district attor-
no aif hnr inl nv ut ar wi Mr
Laskey. under amendments to the food
| control act, is empowered to place
evidence of profiteering before the
grand jury. The fair price commit
tee obtained information to the ei-
feet that three grocers we're selling
milk for 10 cents a pint In doing
so the dealers were profiteering, in
| the opinion of the committee, and
after investigation the evidence was
submitted to Mr.. Laskey's office These
cases will now have to wait their
turn before the grand jury.
| 'sThe charge that the district at
torney has 'pigeonholed' the evidence
against these dealers cannot be sub
Stimulated, because it Is obviously not
founded on fact. Such serious charges
! cannot be allowed to pass unchal-
lenged."
Committee States Situation.
| The fair price committee also issued
the following statement on the gen
eral price situation in Washington:
AT the meeting of the committee
yesterday the sugar situation was dis,
cussed thoroughly, but it was decided
to defer action and any announce
ment until after a conference between
the chairman and officials of the De-
jpartment of Justice. 1t is probable
that the conference will take place
within the next day or so.
agents of the committee have been
naLinp careful Investigations to as
certain whether there are any sur
plus supplies of sugar in the District:
but so far have been unable to find
any stocks that would indicate hoard
! ing. All rumors and complaints OF
boarding sugar have been invest1-
gated with the same result. but work
will be continued and a close watch
| will be maintained.
1.-The report of the subcommittee on
perishable fruits and vegetables was
received and recommendations of that
subcommittee approved. 1t is planned
to make careful survey of vegetable
and fruit markets and take active
steps to prevent waste, boarding or
manipulation. DIR. Fowler offered CO.
operation of the District health de-
partment, and it is hoped to obtain
cooperation of the bureau of mar
kets It is proposed to ascertain fair
margins of profits which will be acted
upon by the subcommittee at a later
| date"
uation in Washington" Assistant At
| torney General Figg said today. 81
probably will have a very interesting
and pleasing statement to make to
This statement will be forthcoming
| when certain plans I have in mind
are put into operation"