Norwich bulletin., 1919-12-23

dition 22 cases of alleged hoarding have been called to the, attention of United States attorneys for investi- gation, for seizures and for prosecu- tions, if the facts warrant.
 Commodities Seized.
 "These seizures and prosecutions have covered eighteen states and the commodities seized have included eggs, butter. cheese, pork, poultry, lard, fish, sugar, potatoes, coffee, flour and canned goods. F'ifty-three of the above cases have already been dis, posed of by releasing the goods under bond of agreement to dispose of same within a specified time and at a req sonable price under the direction of the United States attorneys. In no case has the market been flooded by the wholesale disposal of such goods. In three cases involving hoarding, fines and jail sentences have been i'm posed In one case a fine of $100 was imposed; in another a fine of $250 and three months in jail. and in a third case fine of 5000 and five months in jail. This latter case has been ap- pealed. Results of Investigations are now Icing laid before grand jury in several districts and reports of large numbers of indictments are expected in the near future. Wherever possi- ble a determined effort will be made to obtain jail sentences.
 "A very solemn duty to assist in reducing the cost of living and partic- ularly to eliminate profiteering rests upon honest and responsible business men of all classes. To bring about cooperation in this direction the na- tional organizations representing the different trade interests have been ap- preached. Very helpful cooperation ! has been obtained which has had a marked tendency not only to stop the upward trend of prices, but in some instances to decrease prices.
 Margins of Clothing Dealers. ! '@rhe National Retail Clothing Deal | CTS Association have recently estab- |, lished their pre-war margins of profit as being fair and have so advised | their entire membership. representing approximately 9G per cent. of the re- ! tail clothing dealers of America. They have also appointed a diligence com mittee to hunt up profiteers within their membership and report to the United States attorney in their re- | spective districts violations of mar gins of profits as set up by theip or ganization. These profits show from five to. fifty per cent. reduction over prevailing profits of past few months.
 Shoe Dealers to Act.
 'The National Retail Shoe Dealers Association have appointed an execu- l tive committees to confer for the pur- i pose of re-establishing d similar rule within their organization. The Ma tional Retail Drygoods Assoeiation representing some 20.000 department | stores in the United States are CO., ' operating with the department of jus | tice in establishing prominently econ emy departments during January and February. Several of the larger man. ufacturers' associations. as well as wholesale and retail merchants asso- 1 citations, have appointed committees to confer with agents of the depart ment of justice and are putting their entire machinery at the disposal of the department to carry out pro- grammes to the membership.
 ! Beyond this the department of jus tice has instituted thoroughgoing and nationwide campaign participated | in by thousands of men and women bringing about regulations in the cost of living through education and through moral suasion. Three states have passed laws creating commits l sions or other machinery for the pro- lection of their citizens against profit eerS.
 Primarily the notable factors in Volved in the cost of living are ti.e neded increase in production, the elimination of extravagant buying ant the determined hunting down of pro- fiteers of all classes. I believe thai the time has now come when the or. ganizatjon of the country has beer compl|ed to the point where real re. suits Gan be shown. The cost of liv. ing, /.lready under control, can be re. duc/d if everyone who. produces vii pr /luce his utmost if those who b1, and consume will save and eliminat, extravaganza, and if all honest peopl, will join with the department of jas
 tice in stamping out profiteering ant
 hoarding."
 Phe officials attending the confer ence at which the statement was au
 thorized and who, it is understood. ar
 prepared to make the statement tn ' basis for solution Of any problem
 within their jurisdiction involving tn
 cost of living, in addition to Attorne- : General Palmer, were Secretaries Dan iels and Alexander, Chairman Nnr dock and Commissioner Colver of in } federal trade commission. Assistan : Secretary of the Treasury LefTingWeI
 Assistant Attorney General Ames, Di rector General Hines and Special AS slstant to the Attorney General Figs