The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-08-14
WOULD CURB
BIC CORPORATIONS
Senator Kellogg Introduces Ii.
censing Measure as Restraint
Against Profiteer
Profits.
Rx Associated Press.

proposing the licensing of corporations
having a capital or assets of 100000 DOC
or more, engaged in interstate com.
merce and authorizing federal supervi.
sion over the ssuance of stock and Sc.
curities was introduced today by Sena=
tor Kellogg, republican, Minnesota.
Licenses would be issued by the
federal trade commission which would
ave supervisory jurisdiction over the
corporations and in case of illegal com-
binatioEs in restraint of trade, it would
have power to revok the licenses.
President Wilson, in his cost of living
speech, recommended a licensing meas
ure.
To Consult Leaders.
Industrial conferences, In which Pres
ident Wilson will meet representatives
OF capital and labor Tor open discussion
OF economic problems, will be held at
the White House before the high cost
Of living problem is disposed Of, ac-
cording to plans being made here today.
The men whom the president will
meet will form some sort OF unofficial
cabinet. The object sought is a free
exchange of ideas to clarity the at
mosphere and .liminate misunder-
standings between the worker and en-
ployers; n the development of con-
structfve suggestions for betterment OF
relations between labor and capital.
President Wilson's attitude toward
the industrial conferences idea vas set
forth in his last speech to congress,
wherein he said he was willing to meet
any groups of his fellow citizens who
know what they're talking about" tc
tax steps for improving capital-labor
relations.
Poindexter's Plan.
Senator Poindexter. Washington, is
the author of a joint resolution asking
the president to call representatives of
capital and labor for a face-to-face
talk. This n1easure is pending in the
Senate labor comraittee, and Poindex-
ter said today he would seek early &C.
ton on it.
Poindexter. in the original resolu-
ton, named several prominent labor
and Industrial c',ieftains who should
be called in, but this aroused protest,
especially from Basil Marley, of the
wal labor board, n others, who said
that a broader committee would have
to be selected. Poindexter explained
today that his list was only a
ton to the president thai others
should be called. He favors allowing
each group to choose it's own spokes-
a
Attorney General Palmer has started
out to ascertain how much of the high
cost Of living is due to excessive profits
OF retailers.
In a telegram to all state food ad-
m~inistrators who worked with Admin
istrator Hoover during, the war, the at
torney general requested the appoint
ment of a fair price committee in each
county to investigate what is being
charged for retail necessities, and if in
excess of what the committee consid-
ers just, to publish q list Of fair prices
for the guidance Of the public.
This is the extra legal" means of
reaching profiteering which Mr.. Palm
er recently indicated was under con
sideration. He has frankly admitted
from the start that there was no means
to prosecute directly a man guilty of
extortion in prices. Retailers who are
gouging the ultimate consumer will
have to be disciplined by public senti-
ment, which officials have no doubt is
sufficiently alert to the situation now
to act vigorously in clear cut cases.
aPalmer's Telanram
The attorney generals telegram fol-
lows:
In order to secure accurate infor-
nation relative to charges Of profteer-
ing by dealers In necessary commodi-
ties it is the desire of the government
to ascertain whether or not such deal
ers are making more than a fair mar
gin of profit. Will you assist in YOU
state by requesting those persons who
have been county food administrators
under your jurisdiction to appoint fair
price committees, including n re-
taller of groceries, one of dry goods, q
representative of the producers, of or
gained labor, of housewives. two or
three representatives Of the public
generally, also a wholesaler when prac-
ticable? Please request them to pur-
sue approximately the same inquiry
with reference to food products and the
ordinary necessities in dry goods and
clothing that were pursued by your
fair price committees under the food
administration act. This committee
will be an extra legal body without
power to ummon witnesses or fix
prices. It is requested; however, to as
certain the cost prices, determine u
fair. margin Of profit and II retail
prices are in excess OF what the com
mittee regards a fair price to have pub
lished its list OF fair prices. reporting
to you for review. Yoa are requested
to report to the department of justice
a general review OF the situation Ia
your state.
Evidenes o. Heardins.
ANY evidencesof; boarding OF other
violations Of the 9 control act which.