The Washington times., 1919-08-12
D. c. HEADS CONFER
ON FOOD PRICES
(continued From Page ons.)

CONTINUED From Page one)
worked with him in the food admin
istration here during the war. and as
soon as a concrete plan OF action is
drafted for his work many of the for
mer men who were engaged in Wash
ington's "fair price list work during
the war will be enrolled in the new
campaign.
aThe Food Administration is .
thing Of the past" said Mr.. Wilson.
"and nothing is left of it but the
records. These records am now
sorting, as they will aid in giving q
resume of what the Food Administra-
ton found as to conditions here dur
ing the war.
81 am unfamiliar with the local sit
uation at present, as I have been
away from Washington for some
time. I cannot state whether there
is any profiteering in Washington, be-
cause I have not conferred with any
of the men who have done the inves-
tigating. I do not know just what
part the Attorney General will ask
me TO take in the present campaign.
Fair DuriaE War.
"All the dealers in washington
were very fair and considerate as to
their prices during the war. but do
not know how after the war condi-
tions have affected them. If there IL
profiteering, il is probably caused
by retailers. Washington Is not a
producing city, and so the excess
price cannot be fixed by any local
manufacturers. Profteering in wash
| tngtOn, IL il exists, is caused by out
side concerns, or by local dealers who
are unfairly boosting the prices on
the prices they pay for outside sup
plies.
"One thing which must be consid-
cred is that the local food adminiEtra-
! tion is disorganized. and there are
no funds at present for forming an
| instance, which I understand are be-
| ing considered here, will have to be
printed, and printing takes funds"
! 1t was pointed out that while the
| food administration no longer exists.
the legislation for such a body does
1t has been suggested that the body
may be called into being again, either
| by the legislation now in the franz
| ing by the District Commissioners or
else a revival by Congress Of the
| former legislation which inaugurated
| IL.
LANDED For War Work.
As District food administrator in
Washington during the war. Mr.. Will
son was generally commended by the
public, az we'll as the dealers, for the
way in which he directed his local ad-
ministration. 1t is expected with Mr.
Wilson engaged in the fight against
prodteers, the situation in Washing
ton will improve rapidly.
Attorney General Palmer has asked
that a retailer OF groceries, a retailer
Of dry goods, q representative OF pro-
ducers, organized labor and house
wives, a wholesaler and two or three
representatives OF the public be ap-
pointed to the individual committees.
Under the plan Of food admins
tration outlined by Commissioner
R-ownIow, il was suggested that DIT.
william c. Fowler, District health Of
hcer, be placed at the head of a fair
price-hxing committee. Since the At
torney General has asked the food
administrators to help in the fight
against profteers, Mr.. Wilson will d.
rect the campaign instead Of DR.. FoW-
Ter. He will help Mr.. Wilson, how
ever, and may be asked to serve on
the fsir-price committee.
Commissioner BTowRlow explained
the purpose of a bill being drafted to
control food prices here.
The bill now being drawn pro-
vides for the appointment Of a fair
price administrator, who would con-
troll not only food and fuel prices.
but also those of wearing apparel.
The local food administration will be
able to handle the situation until the
law under which the Food Admins
tration was created no longer oper-
ateS. The fair-pTice administrator,
however. would be able to operate as
long as adVisable-untii the price sit
uation in Washington is adjusted"
TheSbiil probably will be presented
TO the House and Senate District
Committees this week.