The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-08-16

ohu WHdl we VIII ~ Is for her
the chief question upon which her aui-
etude of mind and confidence Of nur-
pose depends. While there is anv nos
aolIity that the peace terms NAV he
changed or may be held long in abey-
ance. or may not be enforced because
OF DIVISIONS OF opinion among the now
srs associated against Germany. il is
ioie TO look for permanent relief
immediate Relief Measures.
ny way OF immediate relief. surplus
s"cks OF Doth food and clothing I'm the
hahus OF the government will be sold and
OF course sold at prices AT which tbera
Is no profit And by way of a mora ner-
nianent correction OF prices surpIus
STOCKS IN private hands will be drawn ont
oI storage and put upon the market. For
a'eiy under the terms of the sood-con-
.troI act the boarding of food.tuns can
be checked and prevented and ,hay .iI,
oe' win the greatest energy Foodstuffs
can De drawn out of storage and sold nv,
iegal action which the department of
Jueuce VIII institute wherever necessary.
ou, as soon as the situation is systemati-
Saiiy ueslt with 1t is not likely that the
courts VIII often have 10 be rAsorted m.
Much or the accumulating OF STOCKS has
no doubt been due to the sort of snecu-
laion which always results from uneer-
tainty.
Would Have Prices Plainly Marked.
would also recommend that n he
required that all goods destined for in
terstate commerce should in eyerv case
Wnere their form or package makes IL
possioie De plainly marked with the
price at which they left the hands of
the producer. Such a reouirem.nt
would bear close analogy to certain
provisions of the pure food act, by which
II Is required that certain detailed in
formation be given on the labels of
packages OF foods and drugs
ana IL 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 IT for gra:ted that that is our
purpose and our duty Nothing less
viii sufnce We need not hesitate to
handle a national question in a ma
uonal 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 IL Is to be issued. specific reeu-
Iauons designed to secure competitive
selling and prevent uncomfortable
profits in the method of marketing.
Law Would Do Much.
such law would afford a welcome an
portunity to effect other much-needed re-
torms In the business of Interstate shin
ment and In the methods of CORPORATIONS
winch are engaged in it; but for the mo-
ment confine my recommendation to the
opJect immediately in hand. which is to
lower the cost OF living
We are dealing paptlar,ao -
sress. l need hardly say, with very critical
and very dimcult matters. We should 90
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 or the fearful forecasts hear ut
tered about me. but the condition of the
"orid Is unquestionably very grave and
We should face IL comprehendingiy TIE
situation of our own country is exeep
tionatefy fortunate We of all peoples
can anord to keep our heads and to de-
ternine 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 a
greater supply Of foodstuns in this coun-
Try on June l of this year than at the
same dafe last year. In the combined to-
tai Of number of the most important
foods IN dry and ;cold storage the excess
IS quite s per cent. And yet prices have
Law Department Active.
The attorney general has been making
d careful study of the situation as a
whole and of the laws that can be ap-
plsu to better it and is convinced that
ander the stimulation and temptation of
exceptional circumstances. combinations
Of producers and combinations of trader,
have been formed for the control of sup.
plies and OF prices whictr are clearly In
restraint of trade. and against these pros
ecutions will be promptly instituted and
actively pushed which will In all likeli-
mood have prompt corrective effact.
There is reason TO believe that the prices
or leather. of coal. of lumber and of tex
tiles have been materially affected by
forrns. OF concert and co-operation .anpngy
the producers and marketers OF these and.
otner universally necessary commodities
wnich II VIII be possible to redress No
wafchfrf 9fs ensfgetic :, effort; viii be
spared TO accomplish this necessary re-
suit. trust that there will not be many
cases In which prosecution will be neces-
Sary, Fublfc action will no doubt cause
many who have perhaps unwfttinxly
adopted Illegal methods 70 abandon. them
promptly and of their own nation.
The department of commerce. the
department. of agriculture. the deoart-
nent of labor and. the federal trade
commission can do a great deal toward
Implying the public systematically
md, at short intervals. with informa-
ION regarding the actual. supply of
'arucuiar commodities that is in ex-
stence and available with regard to
Iupplies which are in existence but not
With regard to the methods of price Ar
ng which are being=used by dealers I'm
ertain foodstuffs and other necessities
{ Retaiters. in Part TO Blaine. 4
There can be little doubt that reta;1.
rs are in part--sometimes in large
for exorbitant prices,
.nd II Is quite practicable for the gov
rnment through the agencies I have
nentioned. to supply the public with
til information as to the prices at
Which, retailers buy and as TO the costs
( transportation they gay in order |
hat it may be known Just what mar
IN of profit they, are demanding. Opfn-
On and concerted action on the part of |
urchasers can probably dr the rest.
Let me urge, In the first hIace. thar |
ne present foodstuff contrui act should !
e extended both as to the period OF time |
uring which Il shall remain in operation
nd as TO the commodities to which II |
hall apply.
Its provision against boarding should he
lade to apply not only tc food but also
feed stuffs. to fuel. to clothing. and to
lany other commodities which are in
isputably necessaries Of life As II
lands now it is limited in operation to !