The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-24

state. these organizations to co operate
with the state council of defense and
10 be clothed with power as follows:
First: To make Investigations OF
prices on an mercantile commodities and
on the rental of buildings OF all charac'
ters; to collect data ON cost of same
and selling price or rental price; TO
create from the membership of each
county council of defense fair price
committee of not less than five mem
bers, representing labor, farmers and
womens organizations, these commit
tees to be charged with the duty OF in
Vestigating business conditions in their
respective sections; to summon wit
ncsses and take testimony ON cost ana
selling prices; to determine fair price
for the sale of commodities and the fair
rental price for buildings of every char
actcr and to report their findings TO
the respective county councils of de
fense.
1--WE recommend that the county coun'
ellis of defense have the power and au'
thority. after proper investigation, TO
lodge complaints of profiteering against
those who may be deemed guilty, these
attorney, with the attorney general and
with the United States attorney for the
district in which the complaint is lodged;
and that the county councils of defense
shall endeavor to secure and furnish
the necessary evidence to secure a con
viction in the case Of those charged with
proflteering, and by the council found
guilty.
I'VE recommend that the fullest pub
licity be given to the action taken from
time to time by the county councils OF
defense and to this end that each coun-
ty organization name committee on
publicity for the purpose of furnishing
the county and state press with the
names of the profiteers against whom
complaints are lodged by the county
council. This in order that the public
may be fully advised of the action taken.
1--WE recommend that after complaint
shall have been sustained against any
one charged with profiteering by ma
iority vote of the county council that
the parties so charged shall be consid.
cred 10y the council as guilty OF profit
cering and reported and be given the
publicitv hereinbefore recommended.
I'VE recommend the organization of
n Women's Consumers League or sim
liar organization in each county in the
state for the purpose of securing the
cooperation of the women of Oklahoma
in this matter and that complaints from
the members of such organizations be
given prompt attention by the county
councils of defense.
eve recommend that the members ol
the state council of defense residing iii
the several counties be members of the
county councils and act with them in
an official capacity with the privilege OF
the floor and Il vote on all questions.
1--WE further recommend that reali|
ing the inadequacy of our present stat
utes and the necessity for vigorous
laws to meet the crisis through which
we are now passing, we respectfully rec
ommcnd a special session of the legisla-
lure to enact such laws as may be nee
essary."
Discussion throughout the forenoon
ranged the full gamut of the situation
the economic side of the high living cost
at times commanding an important po-
sition i'm the statements of the members.
The cost of high living" was frequent
~ to the fore, but in the main it was
agreed that there are widespread in
stances Of excessive profits and sug-
gestions for remedying the situation ran
almost as wide a range as the discus
sion of it's probable cause. Instances
of admission of the cost price of shoes
as low as $3.50 and the selling price at
$50 were cited, the meat question was a
prominent factor and the government
came in for an occasional censure as
partner in profiteering. The fact that
the. government sets 20 per cent as a
margin for excess profit and then ac-
cepts 90 per cent ana allows the retailer
and manufacturer 80 per cent on ad-
ditional profit was declared to be part
norship in prOfiteering and the exec
utive committee probably will be di-
rected to memorialize congress to this
effect and demand a correction of that