The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-10-17

/ 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
f.divisions OF opinion among the pow
ers associated against Germany it is
ioIe 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 sood-con-
troi act the boarding of foodstuffs can
be checked and prevented, and they will
De. 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:
put as soon as the situation is systemati-
cally dealt with it is not likely that the
courts VIII often have to be resorted to-
Much of the accommodating of stocks has
no doubt been due to the sort of specu-
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 II
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
1t 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 IL is indeed
our purpose to assume national control
Of the processes of distribution.
take 1t for granted that that is our
purpose and our duty. Nothing less
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 law requiring a federal
license of all corporations engaged in
interstate commerce and embodying In
the license, or in the conditions under
which 1t is to be issued. specific regu-
lations designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent uncomfortable
profits in the method Of marketing.
Law Wouto 10 MUCH.
Such law would AFFORD a welcome op-
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; hlst for the mo-
ment confine my Recommendations to the
object Immediately in hand, which lis TO
lower the cost of living.
We are dealing, gentlemen OF the con-
gTess. need hardly say. with very critical
n ar n
forward with confidence along the road
We see. but we should also seek to COM
fprehend the whole of the scene amidst
which we act. There is no ground for
some of the Fearful forecasts / hear ut
tered about me. but the condition of the
world is unquestionably very grave and
we sho6id face 1t comprehendingly. The
siteation OF our own country is excep-
1ionateiy 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 N
Disregarding the surplus stock In the
hands Of the government, there was n 4
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 important
Goods In dry and cold storage the excess
is quite IS per cent. And yet prices have
risen.
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
a careful study of the situation as a
whole and of the laws that can be APP
piled TO better 1t and is convinced that.
unoer the stimulation and temptation of
exceptional circumstances combinations
Oh producers and combinations Of traders
nave been formed for the control of sup
plies and OF prices which are clearly ia
restraint OF trade, and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly Instituted and
actively pushed which wilt in all likeli- |
hood have prompt corrective effect. |
There 10 reason to believe that the prices |
OF leather. Of coal. of lumber and of tex /
tiles nave been materially affected by |
terms or concert and cooperation among /
the producers and marketers of these and |
othef universally necessary commodities |
winch u VIII be possible to redress. No |
WatcnIul or energetic effort win be /
spared TO accomplish this necessary re-
suit trust that there will not be many |
cases " which prosecution will be neces-
sary. Public action win no doubt cause |
many who have perhaps unwittingly |
adopted Illegal methods to abandon them I
promptly and Of their own motion.
The department of commerce. the |
department of agriculture, the DEPART |
ment OF labor and the federal trade
commission can do a great deal toward 1
supplying the public systematically
and at short intervals, with informa-
ton regarding the actual supply of
particular commodities that is in ex-
Silence and available with regard TO
supplies which are In existence bur nat
with regard to the methods of price fix
ng which are being used by dealers in
certain foodstuffs and other necessities.
Retailers In Part to Blame.
There can be little doubt that retail
srs are in part--sometimes in large
,art--re responsible for exorbitant prices;
md Il Is quite practicable for the gov
eminent through the agencies / have
mentioned. to supply the public with
uli information as to the prices at
which retailers buy and as to the costs
y transportation they pay in order
hat Il may be known just what mar
rim OF profit they are demanding. opin-
on and concerted action on the part OF
purchasers can probably do the rest.
Let me urge. In the first place. that
ne present foodstuff control act should
e extended both as to the period or time Il
turing which II shall remain In operation
mo as to the commodities to which 1t
'hall apply.
Its provision against boarding should he !
made to apply not only to food but also
e Iced stuns, TO fuel, to clothing. and to