Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-08-15

NdRlAdl VI put neT TeSIleSS. ulSLTaCIeu
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. it is
idle to look for permanent relief.
Immediate Relief Measures.
By way of immediate relief, surplus
stocks Of both food and clothing in the
hands of the government will be sold and
OF course sold at prices at which there
Is no profit. And by way of a more per-
manent correction of prices surplus
stocks in private hands will be drawn out
OF storage and put upon the market For
tunately under the terms of the food-con-
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;
but as soon as the situation is systematic
oally dealt with IL is not likely that the
courts will often have to be resorted to-
Much of the accumulating of stocks, has
EDeCu
lation which always results from uncer-
tainty.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
would also recommend that II be
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes it
possible be plainly marked with the
price at which they left the hands of
the producer. Such a requirement
would bear close analogy to certain
provisions of the pure food act, by which
Il Is required that, certain detailed in
formation be giveh on the labels of
packages of foods and drugs.
And IL does not seem to me that we
could conf1ne ourselves to detailed
measures of this kind, If it is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
Of the processes of distribution. 1
take IL for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
will suffice. We need not hesitate to
handle national question in a ma
tional way. We should go beyond the
measures have suggested. We should
formulate law requiring a federal
license OF all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying in
the license, or in the conditions under
which 1t is to be issued. specific regu-
lations designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent unconscionable
profits in the method of marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
Such law would afford a welcome op-
portunity to effect other much-needed re-
forms In the business of interstate ship
ment and in the methods of corporations
which are engaged in it: but for the mo-
ment confine my recommended tions to the
object Immediately in hand which is to
lower the cost of living.
We are dealing. gentlemen of the con-
| gress, need hardly say, with very critical
and very difficult matters. We should go
| 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 is no ground for
i some Of the fearful forecasts 1 hear ut
| tered about me. but the condition of the
world Is unquestionably very grave and
! We should face it comprehendingly. The
situation OF our own country is excep-
uonately fortunate. We of all peoples
| can afford to keep our heads and to ae-
termine upon moderate and sensible
| courses OF action which will insure us
against the passions and distempers which
are working such deep unhappiness for
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 of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to.
tai OF number of the most important
foods In dry and cold storage the exces:
Is quite 10 per cent. And yet prices have
risen. ~
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been maxim,
careful study of the situation as
whole and of the laws that can be ap
| piled to better 1t and is convinced that
under the stimulation and temptation O
exceptional circumstances, combination,
of producers and combinations of trader,
have been formed for the control of sup
| piles and of prices which are clearly n
restraint OF trade, and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly instituted ant
actively pushed which will in all likeli
mood have a prompt corrective effect
There Is reason to believe that the price
OF leather, of coal, of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected b,
forms of concert and cooperation amonj
the producers and marketers of these an,
other universally necessary commoditie
which 1t will be possible to redress N
watchful or energetic effort will b
spared to accomplish this necessary re
suit / trust that there will not be man
cases in which prosecution will be neces
sary. Public action will no doubt caus
many who have perhaps unwittingl
adopted illegal methods to abandon ther
promptly and of their own motion
The department of commerce. tn
department of agriculture, the depart
ment of labor and the federal trad
commission can do a great deal towar
supplying the public systematicalI
and at short intervals. with informa
tion regarding the actual supply @
particular commodities that is in ex
istence and available with regard [
supplies which are in existence but nc
with regard to the methods of price fix
ing which are being used by dealers /
certain foodstuffs and other necessitie
Retailers In Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
ers are in part-sometimes in lars
part-responsible for exorbitant price.
and II is quite practicable for the gov
! ernment through the agencies | hay
mentioned, to supply the public wit
full Information as to the prices {
! which retailers buy and as to the cos
of transportation they pay in ord,
that II may be known just what ma
gin OF profit they are demanding. Opil
ion and concerted action on the part
purchasers can probably do the rest
Let me urge, in the first place, tn
the present foodstuff control act shou
be extended both as to the period of tin
during which 1t shall remain in operati,
: and as to the commodities to which
Y shall apply
9 Its provision against boarding should
made to apply not only to food but al
to feed stuffs. to fuel, to clothing, and
I many other commodities which are
disputably necessaries Of life. As
r J stands now 1t is limited in operation