The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-27


An act to prevent profiteering IN
necessities Of life and rent or charges
for the occupancy OF buildings FOR
dwelling purposes, and TO provide pen,
alties therefore and investigations
thereof.
Be 1t enacted by the legislature Of
the state OF West Virginia.
Section l. Any dealer, trader, manu-
facturer, or warehouse man, who with
intent to unduly enhance the price or
to restrict the supply or distribution
of cHS OF the necessities OF life, vii.
fully destroys or willfully permits pre-
ventable waste in the production, man,
ufacture, shortage or distribution OF
the same, or with such intent, pre-.
vents, limits, decreases, or restricts,
the manufacture, production. supply or
distribution OF any such necessities or
boards sS-h necessities, to control or
increase the prices thereof, or exacts
or demands any unjust or unreason,
able profit, or makes any unjust OF
unreasonable rates or charge in hand.
ling or dealing in or In selling or ex.
changing any such necessities or un.
reasonably discriminates against any
person in the sale OF or dealing in such
necessities or in any way aids or abets
the doing OF any act hereinbefore
mentioned, shall be guilty OF a misde.
meanor and shall be punished by fine
not exceeding $500, or imprisoned for
not more than one year, or by both
such fine and imprisonment.
The term necessities of life" shall
include food for home CONSUMPTION.
food for domestic animals, shoes, wear.
ing apparel, building materials, fuel,
fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients, TO.
gether with tools, utensils, implements,
machinery and equipment required for
the actual production or manufacture
of such necessities.
Section 2. Whoever demands or col.
lects an unreasonable or unjust rent
or charge, taking into due considera.
ton the actual market value OF the
property at the time, with fair re.
turn thereon, including reasonable
allowance for insurance, repairs and
depreciation OF property, rented or
hired for, dwelling purposes, shall be
guilty Of a misdemeanor and shall be
punished by a fine OF not more than
$500, or by imprisonment for not more
than one year, or by both such fine
and Imprisonment.
Section 3. 1t shall be the duty of the
attorney general OF this state and the
prosecuting attorney of the several
counties OF this state to investigate all
reported violations of this act, and any
judge of any court of record, in this
state, may by order, upon the applica.
ton OF the attorney general, or any
prosecuting attorney charged with the
duties of enforcing this act, compel
the attendance of witnesses, the intro.
duction of books, invoices and docu.
ments. including correspondence, and
the giving of testimony under oath
before any grand jury and in the same
manner and to the same extent before
such courts; and any failure to obey
such order may be punished by such
court as contempt thereof. Provided
however, that no such judge or court
shall have jurisdiction TO compel the
attendance of witnesses or the pro.
duction OF documentary evidence out
size the Jurisdiction of said court or
shall require any person to give testi.
mony that tends to incriminate him.
self.
Section A. II any clause, sentence.
paragraph or part Of this act shall be
adjudged by any court of competent
to be invalid, no other
provision of this act shall be impaired
q held invalid in consequence there.
of.
Section 5. This act shall be and be-
come effective from the date of its
passage and shall expire by Limitation
December 81, one thousand nine hun.
dred and twenty.