The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-04-17
GROCERS OBJECT
 TO REGULATION

New York, April 47-"We do not wish to be understood as inciting grocers to go contrary to law but we do advise the next man who is sum moned under these food price regula- tieas to have a test case made Of 1t by his local association, and if it is necessary to take it right up to the top-sufieient funds will be found whereby this can be done, for there are several associations throughout New York state ready and willing to join issue in this controversy. That is what associations are for-net to break the law. but to assist members in getting justice where such re- strietiea as this is forced upon us. It is time for the retailer to kick back and the time is right now"
 In the above def the New York Retail Groeers issue something a good deal like the Declaration of Independ- ence regarding the efforts of amateur theorists to regulate the grocers out of existence fn the vain and futile hope, Of correcting the well known h. C. L The statement is that of John H. Meyer, New York state secretary of retailers, and is printed in an edi- torial in the last issue of his official bulletin.
 we have been asked what the present statas of this food regulation is and we are frank to confess that while the matter is still in effect, technically, yet we believe that if a test case was made of it here. the courts must decide just as they did out in Kansas he explains. ''Senti- ment is a beautiful thing, but it doesn't help the retailer much in the way of meeting his bills, and we be- Geve a whole lot of this sickly stuff was wasted on a public that had grown drunk with prosperity and was spending its money like drunken sailors. It willingly paid the inflated prices for iuxuries, etc, and with only an occasional yell about the high cost of shoes and clothing, but the cry to have the grocers sell their products at cost was continuous; he was the target for the abuse of every soap box orator and agitator in churches and meeting Of ell kinds Down with the prohteeri was the cry, and we wonder that the people did not break out into riot.
 "when the matter was at its height we heard much of Attorney General Palmer, who was playing politics with the food price regulation as a foot stool, playing to the galleries Of the misguided and misinformed pub lie, all at the expenses of the food distributor, while he was making propaganda whereby he could later shine forth as a Presidential candi- date-the great saviour of the peo- pie.
 ~Evez since the matter of food price regulation came into effect there has always been a doubt as to the validity of this act, or to be more specific, there has always been doubt as to whether it could be en- forced In order to pass the bill cer- tain sacrifices had to be made, which the Equa1ization Board looked upon as vital Complete control can only be obtained through the licensing power, but the legislators, represent ing the domestic sugar interests, re- fused to permit the passage of the bill if it contained this feature, plac- ing as to price and distribution their own crops (to come on the market next fall) under the control of the Eoualizatfon Board Their attitude was that it was all well enough to tie everybody else up, but they must be free As a result the bill was finally passed continuing the licensing fea- ture for the domestic producers only during the first six months of 1920 *$~ As sec it, there was but one or two courses for the board to fol- low One, to proceed at once to take the domestic situation so far as con sumption was concerned firmly in hand, and through rafon1nS manu- facturerS and consumers so reduce distribution in this country during the first six months of 1920 that sup plies of sugar would be accumulated to such an extent that we would Ger tainIy go into the summer and fall months with such full stocks that high prices and scarcity during that period would be impossible
 eff this was attempted there would no doubt be loud cries from the COZ sumer and manufacture because of their being denied sugar that was plainly in sight, and also cries of dis tress from the sugar producers, who would claim that they were being ruined During the war period re strictions were accepted because ii was felt that through them the wal was being won, but now that the war is over the feeling is that they are unnecessary and every attempt is made to avoid them
 A-TJhe other possible course was tc pursue "a hands off policy and do as the Food Administration has done leave the situation in the hands ot the sugar trade to work out in the belief that the supplies available vii be sufficient for our wants Would tht American people have accepted with out violent protest the limiting O. their supplies during the first si1 months of 1920 in order to build LII a large reserve and reduce prices fO; the balance of the year? What abou the protests from our domestic pro ducers to the adoption of such course7 Will not the evil be cure' more quickly and permanent. through present high prices, en couraging large production the worlt over for next year."