Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-10
H.C.L COMMITTEE
TOLD THERE IS NO
FOOD PROF|TEER|NG
Wholesale and Retail Grocers of
City Are Defended by Viii
liam A. Hannigan.
ExTRAVAGANCE RAPED

A meeting Of the High Cost Of Living
Investigation Committee, appointed hy
Mayor Taylor in December, was held
last night IN the City Council Chamber
Alex Ahrahams was appointed chairman
and Miss Clara Southwiek of tho Con
sumers League, WAS made secretary
The meeting was called 10 investigate any
prpfitccring which may be existing IN the
city, but M ono present had any com
plants 20 enter
Councilmen MeNanus and Abboreer
acted III defense of the people willie VII
liam T. Skellengor and William L. Hanni-
gan defended the wholesale and retail
groccrs For short while words were
hot and fast between Councilman Alb
berger and Mr. ilannigan MIR Abberger
demanded to know why Certain King
street merchants were sclliug sugar only
with a purchase of tea or coffee. Somc of
this coffee, which has been on hand for
three or four wears, was selling for 90 cents
q pound. and wasn worth 30 nts
Mr.. flanuigan said that moef af thcsc
King street merchants WE'RE lacked by
outside interests and that the wholesalers
oF this city were not connected with them.
In referring g. alleged proatetrlng among
some ui the retail pr0ccre Mr. ltanupan
itY m which the grocfrs cater to their
trade as much aq they do ~ this city.
They are selling goods ns low as possible,
IN fact s0nle are selling under cost tllrk
tho retail grocer OBSERVE a little cnnsidera-
'iGn for thoughtfulnesa they have shown
The pro. I of the Wholesale grocer s.
dnllar IS about ttrac-eighia Of q cent, Mr.
HaunlFan stated, explaining how tho
wholesaler made his pro- + llc rgld that
this could hardly be called Prohteerng
The wholesalers and tho retailers w8nf
this investigation continued 50 that tho
public can understand tho situatIon.
eiated MIR Ilanmgan
The increased cost II production wss
also taken info consideration Il vas shown
that fer tic past four years. lnbor haa
been engaged in u productive ao.
eupailen. such ~ tho making of powder
guns and SHELLS
Harry " Fra,cr. II thr Thomas J
Lawson Company ASKED K m We expcct
loe pricrs AZ long ~ E,rnre demands
food and IS willing r. ray ing prices fer i
hc lator aitfation on the peninsula
u vcry sarlors. Mr. irazier continued. /.
Young fumcr- practlcal fannorR
arr leaving the fnfm7 and coming tn
the city. gcttlag Rood ctl'rAt'on and nof
FFiuFEt4dK 10 klt A8F5tAA aAts- AsfssA - .ta'
cost of prodnctioh
In speaking If the sugar sl'uaf'on NJ
i'raxcr sad that relief IS expected soon,
but In no great qlauliy
Mr.. Hannlgan demanded that An IN
vcftipatian IT, rnadr "For orr own good.
we ask that an investigation fe made
Then VI heb wc gt tho - operation oi the
public and thtv urdcTstDn the sitliation,
| think both sidcs Vil feel better
Mr. HanniFan exnlalned tho variance
IN the p,uchasc price of the same IN article,
aftflb1tlnr the cause to- thr time and
place of purchase Of he article by the
retailer
4 honbshcll vas droprcd II the chamber
when Nr iIar-igan SAID that s0Enc ~
men kick when they have - pay two Or
tbrec ceuts more for an article but think
nothing of polnG 3i4t and paflng 81 Tor q
hoX of powder - or s5 for mail bottle
u p.rit ne ard b wing tie highest Prioed
c.tfdiss, then saving thgE are nee. c.saitics
II WIS tEsD II re .t.d tiat the way 70
get NJ the facts WIS for the public ana
the eraeerv 10 ri together 50 t.fai the
sltt alton toGid t. NV tigatcd ana each
side waesd Gndcrs tand 'he other.
\ motion @as made and seconded that
the eommttec adjourn until next frlisy
evening. when another meeting 81 the
committee would be held and Any sup
posted case OF prohteefing couiG he brought
tsfore that body. either by letter or per
SON aud Il committee would he appoint
I'd fer the investigation ot the case