Evening star., 1919-09-25
FAIR PRICE LIST
GIVEN OUT TODAY
Retailers Who Fail to Keep
Within Bounds Likely to
Receive Attention.
WEEKLY REVISION PLANS

After several weeks of investigation
and study OF market conditions fair
price list, giving reasonable retail
prices for twelve staple foodstufTs,
was made public today by Chairman
Clarence R. Wilson of the fair price
committee
Retailers who charge more than the
prices given In the list are to be re-
ported to the Department Of Justice,
for whatever action that arm of the
auatations sss c,ss & cssiseS II sfAs; soods have
been omitted because of the large
amount of fasuchapupplies being seid
from the1War departments surplus
stock, and this competitton ID keeping
the price at = reasonable figure.
NO quotations are made on sugar,
because of the rapidly varying condi-
tions in that market Mr.. Wilson said
today that the prevailing retail price
was II cents per pound. but that some
dealers who had not been able to buy
at an advantageous figure were not
able to sell at that price at the usual
profit.
Difference in Marketing.
A maximum and minimum price is
quoted for each commodity, the diff
ference being figured on difference
in wholesale prices as well as a diff
ference in methods of marketing. Mr..
Wilson said cash and carry stores
should be able to sell very near the
minimum figure. while stores with de-
livery and credit departments oper-
ated on a wider margin.
Flour is quoted at $1.67 to $1S5 per
sack OF 24k pounds. Creamery but
ter should retail between 81 and "a
cents per pound, and lard from % to
36 cents. according to quality. The
best strip bacon should not cost more
than so cents per pound, while some
can be sold at a reasonable profit for
81 cents. :,
Whole hams range from 80 to 4s
cents. Select eggs may vary from
% to IL cents per dozen. while cur
rent receipts should sell at So to SO
cents.
None of the prices quoted are in ex-
cess of retail prices now prevalent in
Washington. and some Of them, said
Mr.. Wilson, are. lower than the usual
weekly as the market conditions
In figuring the prices the commit
tee was guided by the margin of
profit fixed by the food administra-
ton during the war. though several
500 questionnaires filled out by re-
taflers in the city were consulted,
after agents from the Department Of
Justice had checked up on them by
posing as customers and getting
actual quotations.
Milk Price Situation.
While Mr.. Wilson is working to
keep food prices in general at a rea-
sonabie figure, DR.. w c. Fowler, dis
trict health officer, is devoting most
of his time to the milk-price situa-
ton. and will meet with representa-
tfves of the Maryland Virginia Milk
Producers Association tomorrow TO
discuss prices for the coming fall and
winter.
On Saturday he will see the local
distributors, and he hopes to arrange
an agreement that will be satisfactory
to producer, distributor and consumer,
Winter prices are generally higher.
because of increased cost of feeding.
but it is known that many dairymen
contracted for their. winter feed sew
eral months ago, when prices were
comparatively low. Furthermore. the
past season has been unusually good
for pasturage, SO that the herds have
been kept in good condition, with lit :
tie cost for feed.