The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1919-08-14
FIGHT H. c. L. TO LIMIT
President Wilson Told Congress All
Present Laws Would be Used
Against Hoarders.

Washington, Aug. 8-Presiden'
Wilson laid several specific proposals
before Congress today for checking
the high cost of living, but at the
same time declared permanent re-
suits could not be expected until a
peace time basis was full restored by
ratification OF the Peace Treaty.
High prices, the President told
Congress, were not justified by
shortage of supplies either present or
prospective, but were created III
many cases "artificially and deliber-
ately," by vicious practices" Re
tailers he said, were responsible i'll
large part for extortionate prices.
Strikes, the President warned the
labor world would only make mat
tiers worse and those who sought to
employ threats or coercion were only
preparing their own destruction"
Leaders OF organized labor, the
President said, would presently yield
to second sober thought.
"Illegal' and criminal were the
words the President used i'll charac-
terizing the methods by which some
present day prices have been brought
about
Present laws, he said, would be en-
ergetically employed to the limit to
force out food boards, and meet the
situation so far as possible, but to
supplement the existing statutes he
specifically urged the following:
Licensing of all corporations en-
gagged in interstate commerce with
specific regulations designed to Sc
cure competitive selling and prevent
'unconscionable profits" in the
method of marketing.
Extension OF the Food Control
Act to peace times and the applica-
ton OF its provisions against hoard
ing to fuel, clothing and other ne
cessites of life as we'll as food.
A penalty iii the Food Control Act
for profiteering.
A law regulating cold storage,
limiting the time during which goods
may be held; prescribing method
of disposing' of them if held beyond !
the permitted period and requiring
that when released -geeds bear the t
date of storage
Laws requiring that goods released
from storage for interstate commerce
bear the selling prices at which they !
went into storage and requiring that
all goods destined for interstate COM
merce bear the price at which they
left the hands of the producer.
Enactment of the pending bill for
the control of security issues.
Additional appropriation for gov
eminent agencies which can supply
the public with full information as to
prices at which retailers buy.
Early ratification of the Peace
Treaty SO that the Gree processes OF
supply and demand can operate.
Immediate steps by the executive
agencies of the government promised
by the President included:
The limiting and controlling of
wheat shipments and credits to ia
cilitate the purchase of wheat in such
a way as not to raise, but rather
lower the price of flour at home.
Sale of surplus stock of food and
in the hands of the govern
ment.
The forced withdrawal from stor-
age and sales of surplus stocks in
private hands.
General recommendations includ-
ed:
Increase of production.
Careful buying by housewives.
Fair dealing with the people on the
part of the producers, middle men !
and merchants. I
That there be no threats and un-