The sun., 1919-01-23
PRODUCE MEN ASK
END OF PRICE FIXING
Resolutions, Adopted unani-
mously, Will Be Sent to
the President.
WHEAT Is NOT INCLUDED
Flour Makers Take Action to
Dispel Notion That Quota
tiOns Will Drop.

Al meeting OF the members Of the
New York Produce Exchange yesterday
afternoon resolutions. adopted by the
board OF managers, to appeal to Presi-
dent Wilson to take prompt action to
remove the restrictions and to discon-
tlnuc the practice OF price fixing as now
applied 10 hogs, grain and other food
stuffs, were approved without dissent
ing vote.
The purpose OF the appeal. which is
part Of countrywide back-to-sane-
business movement. Is. in the language
Of the resolutions. ito the end that prices
may return TO their normal and natural
bases, controlled only by conditions OF,
supply and demand, and so bring about
u material and necessary reduction In
the cost OF living now bearing so heavily
upon the mass of our people"
It was made very clear by Edward
Flash, Jr., president OF the exchange,
who presented the resolutions that the
boards action did not apply to wheat,
the price OF which has been fixed by
Congress. He explained that a bill is
being drafted by the Department or
Agriculture in relation to wheat and
wheat prices and declared that where
contracts have been entered into by the
Government to pay fixed prices all
should be treated equltably.
Ask OmciaI Statement.
Following the unanimous approval of
the resolutions motion was adopted
requesting the board of managers to
address the Food Administration in an
effort to have the Administration issue
afnt tkat % la lee
power the present method of handling
the 1918 wheat crop and prices thereon
will not be changed"
The flour interests were plainly ner-
vous over the possibility that buyers of
-four might get the idea that the ex-
changes appeal to the President applied
10 the 1915 wheat crop, and said very
plainly that such an erroneous impress
sion might cause incalculable damage.
II was pointed out that the agitation in
the press In regard to the doing away
with price fixing and the dIscontinuance
OF restrictions on foodstuffs had led
bakers and others to believe that -four
might drop to SIS a barrel. and for that
reason they were afraid TO buy.
After the -four mems motion was
passed 1t was explained that the Food
Administration has no authority to
change any law of Congress regarding
wheat prices. and later came the an
nouncement that Mr.. Croweil. acting
president OF the grain corporation. rep
resenting the Government, declared a
few days ago that there would be no
change in the policy or the price of the
balance OF the 1915 crop of wheat
The Exchanges Resolution.
The resolutions, as adopted by the
board OF managers and ratified by the
members OF the Produce Exchange, were
az follows:
Whereas. on the 81 day of May, 1917,
Immediately following the outbreak OF
the war. the board Of managers of the
New York Produce Exchange. in regular
session. adopted unanimously a resolu-
ton recognizing the necessity OF un-
usual measures for the regulation. by
Government control. Of the production,
handling and marketing of such staple
food products as grain. provisions. &c,
and in the patriotic desire to render all
possible assistance to the Government.
offered to the Government all records.
statistics ana equipment of this eX-
change. together with assurances OF per-
sonal services. Il needed by the Govern
mem, Of such Of its members whose
large cxpe ricnce in their several lines Of
food supplies would he useful and valu-
;.plc In the conduct of the Goverhmert's
plans for carrying on such Government
regulation o; foodstufls as might be
found necessary: and
Whereas such offers o. facilities and
services were duly presented To the
President OF the United States and i'm
rnediately ACKNOWLEDGED by him with eX-
pressions of appreciation and hearty
thanks, in a letter dated May !, 1917,
addressed to the president of this eN-
change; ard
Whereas II is our profound belief
that We have made good our offers OF
service during the eighteen months OF
the terrible world wide war now hap
PLY ended, not only by personal service
h. many of our members in Govern
ment bureaus for regulation Of shipping
distribution and merchandising Of oil
great food staples but also I'm cheerful
and patriotic submission to such gov
e.gracntal regulation and restriction o1
business Of our staple commodities as
10 entail great loss and damage upon
many Of our members reaching in some
cases such as trading in cottonseed oil
IN total extinction OF operations; and
Whereas during this war period We
have euthusia StiCally and successfully
done our full share in the floating of the
four Liberty Loans, Red Cross, v NJ
G. A. and other similar campaigns our
members contributing most literally
both services and money, as the records
VIII show and
Whereas the war being actually over
In an economic sense, We feel strong y
that the war measures and restrictions
on our business should now be removed
al commerce restored TO its norma
channels and conditions, 50 that values
md prices might be regulated only by
'he law o: supply and demand; now
therefore. be II
RsSoired. That the New York Produce
Exchange hereby earnestly appeals &c
the President of the United States &c
AXE prompt action to remove the re,
s'.otions complained 81 and to discon
't.Ie the practice ~ prt-" fixing as now
app, cd 10 hogs grain ana other food
stuffs, 20 the end that prices may re,
'lrn to their normal and natural bases
controlled only by conditions Of supply
ard demand. and -p Oiin6 about a ma,
t-l.Il ard leccsVary reduction IN Tn,
cost ~ living now bearing so heavily
Grru i'c mass Of our People such 70
du0tiOu in living tApeuse being especially
called for IN 'Nis period 81 recoustruc
ron and roadiustmrnt where there mus
hc a considerable discharge Of labor. OF
~ ,east reduction OF wages, to meet dl