The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-09-09
NEAR-BOLSHEVISM
EXISTS IN ITALY,
DECLARES OBSERVERS

ROME August I9..(Corrcspond-
cncc of TIL" Associated Press.)-Intrr-
mittcnt and sporadic strikes. which
have produced throughout Italy condi-
tions. in some instances, Approximate
ing BolShcvism. in others n kind of So
cialiSm, and in still others localized an
arChy, have given Italian political
economists and statesmen new spurs
to study and remedial action
Thcro has been "rulc without rule"
according 10 foreign observers. The
government agencies long established
fer the administration of public affairs
existed but failed 10 function. Munlc-
ipal authorities, communal officials and
representatives Of the state admitted
they were helpless to deal with the I'M
usual situations which rendered inact-
i've tho prcrogativcs Of those in power.
Striking workmcn forced demands upon
helpless commercial class. IL is pointed
out. while the authorities merely look cd
on, I'm obedience to thc Will OF the dis
turhcrS."
Tho organizations throughout Italy
that planned the newest departure in
governmental and economic admniStra-
tion were styled Camera del LavorO. A
literal translation would define them
functions went much beyond tho prov
incc Of labor, AS one ordinarily con-
ccivcS that province. and extended so
far that prices were arbitrarily fixed
and the sal" Of commodities ordered.
The merchant seems To havc boon the
one who has suffered most byUhc "ad-
venture" His stocks were comma ndcCr-
ed by the Camara del Laoro, If h" did
.hn h,. fi,n ho
prices fixed by that organization In
most cases. the arbitrary reduction or
fifty percent was cxactcd on all COM
moditlcs regardless Of the cost Of the
goods, the condition of the market or
the rate Of foreign exchange or any Of
III" factors which determine selling
prices There wrr" Examples of forced
reductions as low as seventy percent but
these were few. =
The Camera del LavorO would set the
day on which the now scale OF price.
would take effect. Some Of tho mcr-
chants refused To open their stores hut
there were worse things in readiness for
them. ThoS" stores opened wcrc crowd
ed with people anxious 10 benefit by the
change There never was such business
in any of tn" merchant establishments
throughout Italy. Every storrkocpcr
needed between ten and fifty soldiers or
policemen to keep tn" crowd in order
There was such rush for bargains that
in many places. the situation quickly
changed To violent disorder in which
many innocent women and children were
either trampl"d upon or received pain
full handling by the mobs.
In the case of food. thcr" was little to
b" done hut to hand tn" ready customers
the product for which they asked
Canned meats could be handed out with
out much trouble. Wine which is no
luxury in Italy. was sold al a consider
abb" reduction. on" dollar TASKS going
in many cases for fifteen cents Wine
could vegetables and fruits and the us
could vegetables and fruits and the US
u:u table products.
But. when II cam" 10. IN" distribution
of clothing and shoes. fhc real trouble
hogan. Will" the clothing establish
mrutS did not receive as much a rush
as the shoe establishments they were
crowded enough and IN" scramble for
proper sizes and fittings was n vrritable
rarCh-uS-"atch-can. Tn" attempts or
tn" statesmen and saicswom"n Of the
shops Ia scry" 'onS was 4 failure
and they "catcnt, themselves merely
with receiving the :. vi cash payments
that wrr" mad" by III" gain-huntrrs.