Milford chronicle., 1919-08-15
BOTH LAW And PUBLIC
AFTER THE PROFITEERS
STATE FOOD ADMINISTRATOR MITCHELL
READY TO SET TO WORK UNDER
GOVERNMENT DIRECTION.
MAKE LIST OF FAIR PRICES
NEW CASTLE, KENT AND SUSSEX COUN-
TIES WILL HAVE EACH A FAIR
PRICE" COMMITTEE.

With the machinery to be set in
motion by the government for the re-
duction of the high cost of living and
the prosecution of prohteers and
hoarders of food products, it is ex-
pected that Delaware will be repre-
sented by the same organization that
did effective work during the war, un-
der the direction of Major Edmund
Mitchell, wartime food administrator
for Delaware.
This means that there will be a
thorough organization in the State for
enforcing the government regulations
and these are expected to be pretty
drastic in view of the widespread COM
plant that is heard on every hand
about profiteering and food boarding.
Major Mitchell, who spends his
week-ends at Rehoboth Beach, was in
formed Sunday night of the action
contemplated by the Federal govern
ment, which means that the old organ
izations will be revived where possi-
Bile, because of their experience and
consequent ability to get to work
sooner.
Major Mitchell returned from RehO
both Beach to his home in Whining
ton Monday morning. He had receiv-
ed no telegram from Washington and
was without information to the con-
templated action of the government
further than that in the news dis
patches in the papers. He said, how
ever, that he was willing to do his
part, if there was anything he could
do, but intimated that there would
likely be more difficulty in enforcing
regulations in regard tokthe boarding
and sale of food now that the country
is at peace than there was during the
war. when the people we're fired with
enthusiasm.
AS far as possible, compatible with
the new plans of the Washington au-
thorities, Major Mitchell will use the
same organization that did such ef-
fective work during the war He can
not tell just what is desired until he
receives instructions from Washing
ton.
To Fix "Fair' Prices
The Washington dispatches state
that kilograms have been sent to all
State Food Administrators who work.
ed with Hoover during the war, re-
questing the appointment of fair
price" committee for each county to
investigate what is being charged for
retail necessities, and if in excess of
what the committee considers just, to
publish a list of fair prices for the
guidance of the public.
1t is admitted that there is no
means within the law to prosecute
directly a man guilty of extortion in
prices. and retailers who are guilty
will have to be disciplined by public
sentiment, which, with the present
aroused condition of the people on
high cost of living, may be made a
very effective weapon. Hoarders can
be reached through the wartime act
or through the Sherman act, and one
of the first things requested of Major
Mitchell by the Washington authori-
ties will be the transmission of evil
dence of boarding. When this is done
the governments legal machinery will
be set in motion.
The plans contemplated for State
work would mean that New Castle,
Kent and Sussex counties will have
each a fair price" committee to
watch closely the prices charged in
each community and keep in close
touch with the central organization
under Major Mitchell
Attempts at extortion would be re-
ported Immediately and a list of what
is regarded as the maximum reason
able price prepared and published. A
campaign of education and publicity
would get the entire population of the
State behind the State Food Admins
traitor and his organization, and where
legal action could not be invoked, pub
lie sentiment could be made effective
Conditions have become such in the
country at large that government ac-
tion is imperative and it is probable
that there will soon be important
changes affecting the distribution and
prices of food. The administration
at Washington realized the gravity of
the situation and has started the BAH
rolling, and profiteers and food
hoarders had better stand from under.