Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-08-23


time to restrain profiteering and put
the life of our people upon a tolerable
footing will be makeshift and provi-
sionaL There can be no settled condi-
ton here or elsewhere until the treaty
of peace Is out of the way and the
work of liquidating the war has be-
come the chief concern of our govern
ment and of the other governments Of
the world.
Europe will not cannot recoup her
capital or put her restless. distracted
peoples to work until she knows exact
ly where she stands in respect to
peace; and what we will do is for her
the chief question upon which her quiz
etude of mind and confidence of pur-
pose depends. While there is any pos
ability that the peace terms may be
changed or may be held long in abey-
ance or may not be enforced because
OF divisions of opinion among the pow
ers associated against Germany. it is
idle to look for permanent relief.
Immediate Relief Measures.
By way Of immediate relief, surplus
stocks OF both food and clothing in the
hands OF the government will be sold and
of course sold at prices at which there
Is no profit. And by way of a more per-
manent correction of prices surplus
stocks in private hands will be drawn out
of storage and put upon the market. For
tunately under the terms of the food-con-
troll act the boarding of foodstuffs can
be checked and prevented, and they will
be, with the greatest energy. Foodstuffs
can be drawn out of storage and sold by
legal action which the department of
Justice will institute wherever necessary;
but as soon as the situation is systematic
cally dealt with it is not likely that the
courts will often have to be resorted to-
Much of the accommodating of stocks has
M
lation which always results from uncer-
tainty.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
would also recommend that It be
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in every case
where their form or package makes 1t
possible be plainly marked with the
price at which they left the hands of
the producer. Such a requirement
would bear close analogy to certain
provisions of the pure food act, by which
it is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packages of foods and drugs
And 1t does not seem to me that we
could confine ourselves to detailed
measures of this kind, IL it is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
of the processes of distribution.
take it for granted that that is our
will suffice. We need not hesitate to
handle national question in a ma
tional way. We should go beyond the
measures have suggested. We should
formulate a law requiring a federal
license of all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying in
the license, or in the conditions under
which it is to be issued, specific regu-
lations designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent. uncomfortable
profits in the method of marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
Such law would AFFORD welcome OPP
portunity to effect other much-needed re-
forms in the business Of interstate ship
ment and in the methods of corporations
| which are engaged in It: but for the mo-
ment / confine my recommendations to the
object Immediately in hand, which is to
lower the cost of living,
We are dealing, gentlemen of the con-
gress' need hardly say, with very critical
| and very difficult matters. We should go
! forward with confidence along the road
we see, but we should also seek to com
prehend the whole Of the scene amidst
which we act. There Is no ground for
! some OF the fearful forecasts 1 hear ut
! tered about me, but the condition Of the
| world is unquestionably very grave and
! we should face 1t comprehendlngly The
! situation of our own country Is excep-
| tionately fortunate. We of all peoples
| can afford to keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
| courses of action which will insure us
against the passions and distempers which
are working such deep unhappiness for
some of the distressed nations on the
other side of the sea.
But we may be involved in their dis.
tresses unless we help and help with en-.
ergy and intelligence
Disregarding the surplus stock in the
| hands of the government, there was q
greater supply of foodstuffs In this coun.
try on June of this year than at the
same date last year. In the combined to-
tai OF number of the most importan
foods in dry and cold storage the exces.
is quite 10 per cent. And yet prices hav,
risen.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been makinr
a careful study of the situation as
whole and of the laws that can be an
piled to better it and is convinced that
under the stimulation and temptation o
exceptional circumstances, combination
Of producers and combinations of trader
have been formed for the control of SUP
plies and of prices which are clearly ii
restraint of trade, and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly instituted AM
actively pushed which will In all lkeli
hood have prompt corrective effect
There is reason to believe that the price
of leather, of coal. of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected b.
forms of concert and cooperation anon
the producers and marketers of these an
other universally necessary commoditie
which 1t will be possible to redress N
watchful or energetic effort viii b
spared to accomplish this necessary re
suit trust that there will not be man
cases in which prosecution win be neces
sary. Public action win no doubt eaus
many who have perhaps unwittingl
adopted Illegal methods to abandon ther
promptly and of their own motion
Retailers In Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
ers are in part-sometimes in lsrg
p6rt-responsibl for exorbitant prices
and IL is quite practicable for the gov
eminent through, the agencies I hay
mentioned to supply the public wit
full information as to the prices q
which retailers buy and as to the cost
OF transportation they pay in orde
that II may be known just what mar
gin OF profit they are demanding. Opiu
ion and concerted action on the part {
purchasers can probably do the rest