Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-09
WILSON SAYS HIGH
. PRICES CAUSED BY
VICIOUS PRACTICES
Declares Peace Treaty Rati-
fication Necessary in Cut
ting Living Cost.
RETAILERS ARE BLAMED
FOR PRESENT SITUATION
Would License Corporations to
Secure Competitive Selling
and Prevent Undue Profits.
WOULD EXTEND FOOD CONTROL
Asks Law to Regulate Cold Storage
and That Products Bear Pri-
mary Selling Price.
RETAILERS ARE BLAMED
FOR PRESENT SITUATION
WOULD EXTEND FOOD CONTROL
Asks Law to Regulate Cold Storage
and That Products Bear Pri-
mary Selling Price.
LRy Associated Press.I


WASHINGTON. August S.-President
Wilson laid several specific proposals
before Congress today for checking
the high cost of living, but at the
same time declared permanent results
could not be expected until peace-time
bases were fully restored by ratifica-
tion Of the peace treaty.
High prices. the President told Con-
gress. were not justified by shortage
of supply. either present or prospec-
tive, but were created. in many cases,
''artifcially and deliberately" by
vicious practices" Retailers, he said.
We're responsible. in large part, for
extortionate prices.
Strikes. the President warned the
labor world. would only make matters
worse, and those who sought to en-
ploy threats or coercion were only
preparing their own destruction;"
Leaders of organized laho5 The, Presi-
dent said. he was sure would presently
yield TO second sober thought
Illegal and criminal, were the
words the President used In charac-
terizinG the methods by which some
present-day prices have been brought
about.
Urges New Statutes.
Present laws. he said. would be
energetically employed to the limit
to force out food boards. and meet
10 Supplement- the existing sluie; Statutes oS he
spGfiiaGaily GdaGsiE urged re- the following:
gagged in interestate aporaerons eo@merca vith en-,
specific regulations designed 10 secure
eompetitiye selling and prevent "un-
noms,eionaole cor n profits" in the method OF
- ENtension nns1s Of the food control act
its provisions against hoardins to
fuel. clothing and other necessities Of
lhs as i,, VEL as as food;
profiteerinE.
- law law regulating cold storage limit
be held; prescribing method Of dis
posing of them if held beyond the per-
mitten NIT. period and requiring that when
released goods bear the date of storage
for s a1oas commerea aalssSes
went into storage. and reqSirinr rirn thsy that
all goods destined for interstate COM
lett the hands of the producer
Ratification Held Necessary.
-, enactment of the pending bill for
the control of security issues.
%Rieb for s9S
pn;blie with full Information as to
prises Fes,y at =, which ,t1,6l retailers buy.
ply and asnandS ca" ns0efsssS speTa,s Of sup
a asamries tmmediate at -, steps by executive
by the President Included:
The limiting and controlling Of
tate the purchase of wheat in such a
way as not to raise. but rather 70
io%eE SaIs the M imro,, nrioe OF fioIr at home.
clothing in the hands OF the govern
ment.
The forced withdrawal from storage
ana sale OF surplus stocks in private
General recommendations included.
Increase of production.
careful buying by housewives
Fair dealing with the people on the
merchants.
Warns Against Threats. =.
That there be no threats and undue
class 'eio
Correction of many things" in the
seia'ioh between capital and labor in
respect TO wages and conditions OF
labor. ~
In concluding. the President made
q plea for deliberate, intelligent ac.
balanced world was looking to the
United States. ~ 'Ae
We and We alone" he said, now
tastneSs and self-possession depend
the affairs of nations everywhere. II
Is in this supreme crisis-this crisis for
her mettle."
~, Text Of President'. Message.
ne text OF the Presidents address
Gentlemen of the Congress:
aadrsss have vom sought 5I this opportunity to
@ duty TO call your attention to tha pres
you with all the persuasive force Of
which an, capable the Legislative
measures which would be most effec-
tive in controlling II and bringing IL
down The prices the people Of this
country are naying for everything that
It Is necessary for them to use in order
70 live are not justified by shortage
IN supply, either present or prospec-
tive, and are IN many cases artihcialIy
and deliberately created by vicious
practices. which ought Immediately to
he checked by law. They constitute.
burden, upon us which Is the more
unbearable because we know that Il is
Willfully imposed by. those. who have
public action be greatly lghtened and
made to square with the actual condI--
tions OF supply and demand Some OF
the methods by which these prices are
produced are already illegal, some OF
them criminal. and those who employ
them Will be theoretically proccedad