Evening journal., 1919-08-09
Wilson Tells Congress How to Bring Price Down

lyet the price had declined only ?,
cents per dozen cans. In some cases
there had been the usual result OF an
increase OF price following decreas,
OF supply, but IN almost every instanc,
the increase OF price had been dlspro-
/ poriionate to the decrease in stock.
1.-THE Attorney General has been max
ing a caSful study OF the situation as
a whole and OF the laws that can be
( applied TO better 10 and Is convinced
that under the stimulation and iempta-
/ ton Of exceptional circumstances COM
binations OF producers and combina-
lions OF traders have been formed for
/ The control OF supplies and OF prices
which are clearly in restdant Of trade
and against these prosecutions will be
promptly Instituted and actively push
ed which viii In all likelihood have a
prompt corrective effect.
There is reason 10 believe that the
price OF leather. OF coal, OF lum-
Der and Of textiles have been mate
rally affected by forms OF concert and
cooperation among the producers and
marketers Of these and other univer-
sally necessary commodities which u
Will be possible 10 redress
Funds Are Necessary.
mo watchful or energetic effort viii
be spared 20 accomplish this necessary
result. trust that there will not be
many eases in which prosecution will
be necessary. Public action will no
doubt cause many who have perhaps
unwiitingly adopted Illegal methods 10
abandon them promptly and Of their
own motion.
"And publicity can accomplish a
great deal. The purchaser can often
take care OF himself II he knows the
facts and influences ne Is dealing with /;
and purchasers are not disinclined to
do anything. either slngly or cOllec-
lively. that may be necessary for their
self-protection The Department Of
Commerce. the Department OF Agrlcul-
ture. the Department OF Labor and the
Federal Trade Commission can do a
great deal toward supplying The public.
systematically and at short intervals.
with Information regarding the actual
supply OF particular commodities
that Is in existence and available, and
with regard 20 supplies which are in
existence but not available because Of
boarding. and with regard 10 the meth
DDS OF price fixing which are being
used by dealers in certain f00dsluffs
and other necessaries.
"There can be little doubt that re-
tauers are In part-sometimes in large
responsible for exorbilant prices
ard 10 IS quite practicable for the Gov
ernmeni. through the agencies I have
mentioned. TO supply the public with
fun information as TO the prices at
which retailers buy and as 10 the costs
OF transportation they pay, in order
that it may be known Just what mar
gin OF profit they are demanding. Opln-
ion and concerted action on the part OF
purchasers can probably do the rest.
"That Is, those agencies may perform
this indispensable service provided the
Congress viii supply them with the
funds TO prosecute their in
quiries and keep. their price lists up 70
date. Hitherto the appropriation COM
mittees OF the houses have not always.
] fear. seen the full value Of these in
quiries, and the departments and COM
missions have been very much strait
ened for means 20 render this service
THAT adequate funds be provided by
for this purpose, and pro-
vided as promptly as possible. Is one
OF tho means OF greatly ameliOrating
the present distressing conditions o:
livelihood that bave come TO urge. in
this attempt 10 concert with you the
best ways 20 serve The country in this I
70 Is one OF the abso- |
utely necessary means. underlyins I
many others. and can be supplied al 4
Dnce.
There arc ut7ny other ways. Exist /
ing law is inadequate There are many \
perfectly legitimate meihodo by which /
The Government can exercise restraint /
and guidance.
Let me urge. iu the first place that ]
Inc present food control act should be |
extended both as 10 the period Of time /
Turing which u shall remain n oper- /
alton and bs 10 the commodities 20 |
which ~ shall apply Its provisions 4
against boarding should be made TO |
apply not only 10 food but also 10 /
-oodstuffs, 10 fuel, 20 clothing. and 20 I
many other commodities which are in !
necessaries Of life.
AS 70 stands now 10 is limited in
operation TO the period OF the war and I
becomes inopeihtive upon the formal |
Of peace But I should /
Judge that il was clearly within the /
power OF the Congress /
10 make similar permanent provisions 1
and regulations with regard 10 all /
goods destined for interstate commerce /
and 20 exclude them from interstate |
shipment IL the requirements OF the ]
aw are not complied with.
some such regulation Is imperative {
y necessary. The abuses that have
crown up in the manipulation Of prices
)y the Withholding OF foodstuffs ard /