The sun., 1919-08-30
WHOLESALE PRICES
IN GROCERIES GO UP
But Retail Figures Are Stabil-
lied as Result of Commit
tees "Fair Lists.''
PR0FITEERS GET 4 BLOW
HOarders Also Put in Such
Positions That Jail Looms
Before Them.
PROFITEERs GET \ BLOW

Stree the first of three lists OF fair
n ices" for certain staple groceries, as
ixed by the Fair Price Committee. was
published week ago to-day, this is
what has happened:
Wholesale prices Increased ON twelve
items. decreased on two and remain un-
changed on seven. Lard. the maximum
fair price OF which was placed for the
first time on Tuesdays list. shows
decrease in the wholesale price since
then from 1914 @40H cents to 3Sh@
S9ia cents a pound.
Retail ''maximum fair prices" have
kept ahead of the wholesale prices ex-
actly to the extent of the maximum
margins." The ''maxlmum margins"
have not been changed on any OF the
commodities.
Curiously enough. although a COM
parison OF the first and third lists indi-
Gates a rise in retail prices on ma
jority of items, those interested in the
campaign 10 curb the high cost of eat
ing declare that prices as a rule on
those particular foodstuffs are lower
than they were before the fair price
committee began Ms activities. This is
due, they say. to the fact that retail
ers, as a rule. are stabilizing prices by
taking only maximum fair margins.
instead OF any old margin they might
elect to try to get away with m their
contests with nearest competitors. in
other words, the assertion Is made, and
Arthur Williams. Federal Food Admin
istrator for this city, Is convinced that
it is so. profiteering has been cut out,
at least as far as the retailer in these
commodities Is concerned.
Puzzle in Wholesale Prices.
The upward tendency OF wholesale
- los Of "a
articles on the fair price list. IT Is
pointed out by men In the trade, may
mean nothing or 1t may mean much.
II may represent changes that occur In
4 weeks trading, or 1t may mean that
the peak of wholesale prices has not yet
been reached
Coincident with announcing the third
list OF fair prices for things generally
sold in grocery stores, the fair price
committee gave out yesterday for pub
lcation its first fair price naximums"
for meats, both of which appear in an
other column.
Mr. Williams said he is of the opinion
that the meat prices are now as high
as they will be-
The Food Administrator let it be
known that he has received numerous
complaints concerning the alleged prof.
teering of storekeepers at Coney Island
and higher with the waning season.
Mr.. Williams put out the following
thought and his manner was the man.
ner of a Food Administrator who hoped
that the idea will sink in:
II am anxious to have the Coney ISL
and dealers know that they are included
in the circle of dealers who are COOP
Grating for the welfare Ct the people to
keen down prices. There is no reason
WIN ahoufd rrn6taar oh
Coney Island is a summer resort"
Mr.. Williams proposes to send mer
to Coney Island to look around, make
survey of prices and report back tc
him what the dealers are doing to take
some of the joy out of that very Joyful
spot
The head of the Fair Price Com
rnittee is satisfied that the present pric,
curbing campaign not only has resulted
in eliminating much profiteerlng amont
retailers of food. butt II has put tht
speculative hoarder OF foodstuffs in 8
position where he cannot make specu
lative profit.
Dangers Faced by Hoarders.
'Hoarding as such has lost it's dan
GER Mr. Williams said, because tn,
hoarder cannot realize abnormal profits
When boarded goods are released the!
must he sold under the fair margin
by wholesalers and retailers. TIL
hoarder runs the risk OF being discov
cred and suffering the inevitable publ
opprobrium attained by profiteers o
gougers. He also runs the risk OF prose
cution by the Attorney-General."
Mr. williams said that with every eft
fort OF Washington. State and municipal
authorities directed toward lowering tn
cost OF living II Is bound to follow tina
the objective will be reached. just as tn
concentrated public opinion and effor
brought about the successful prosecution
Of the war.
Mr.. williams expressed the belief tina
2 Government agency should be estab
Ished through which the people OF I'll
country may be able to get Information
about supplies and prices Of food an
clothing. The bureau, he suggests, coul
be run along the lines of the Wsathe
Bureau. and by men ''of the same degre
of skill and ability"