Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-24

cent. or about 103 per cent over the
average nine months of 1918
Its accumulated surplus rose from
seven and three-fourths millions in
1914 to thirty and one-fourth millions
IN 1919. Yet despite these swollen
profits he public Is being warned
tEat SHOES are going to cost more in
stead of less.
Mr.. President. for four years wheat
farmers. as whole. have little more
than broken even. But the net profits
OF the fifteen plants of the Standard
Milling Company have been increased
100 per cent. but not because of in
creased wages and taxes.
The National Enameling and
Stamping Company makes kitchen
ware. Prior to the war 1t success
fully met the severe competition of
Germany and earned a fair return
on its investment.
Charges 326 Per Cent Increase.
In three recent years it has run I'D
1t could hold up American housewives
ana there was no one to say it nay
A Wall street report says this COM
pany earned in the month of January
alone enough to pay all it's fixed
charges and preferred dividends for
the year Here is Tne example of
unmitigated, overreachins greed
Mr.. President. the humble banana
controlled by the United Fruit Com
pany, with it's fleet of twenty-three
ships. has become a kingly profiteer
It's net earnings for fifteen months
ending December last, equal 40 per
cent on fifty millions of stock out
standing. rounding up a surplus for
the last fifty-one months equal to
nearly l22 per cent. l leave it to you
to judge whether it is an unwarranted
or harsh use of words to call this
N mo- 4 Inv, 10.
rate and profit gouger.
"sordid and Wicked Folly
I'VE have more than 700, 900 tons of
meat in the United States enormous
over supplies of butter. cheese. rice
and other grains and foods. Specula-
tors have reaped great profits
through market imitation, prices are
held so high that the people are re-
ducing their standard of living as re-
ported by the Department of Agricul-
ture. and tons of food held by profit
GERS until unfit to eat are condemned
and destroyed by government agents.
This is most sordid and wicked folly.
Our greatest neutrality-suspicious.
tied hand and foot-has been made
the helpless victim of spectators and
profiteers.
Mr.. President, it is wrong to as
sumo. because extravaganza fiaunts
itself in our cities. that plenty exists
in all the homes of the land. People
who have never known want or priva-
ton are living today in tents instead
of homes: small houses in the big in
dustrial centers shelter two families
instead Of one; thousands of men,
women and children are compelled to
do without necessary shoes and cloth
ing if not fuel and certain articles of
food-all because the exorbitant
prices at which these things are held
t,xrt hnC ho
their means.
Canning Raid Is On.
AT this moment the most brazen
MALTA of greed comes from the gam !
blers in sugar A corner has evident |
ly been formed right under the eyes |
OF the Department of Justice. The |
season raid Is on. For years !
the sugar interests have annually and |
openly and shamelessly robbed Amer
lean housewives during the canning ,
season.
City rent hogs are not satisfied |
with 20 per cent return on capital
invested, but hold up frantic bidders |
seeking shelter for all and more than |
they are able to pay.
Urges Drastic Action.
When We know these facts Is it |
strange that we read of mayors, gov |
q Hois anu ColHfillSSlOnS pursuing ra-
pactous landlords, largely because |
this government Of the people seems
able to do little more for the people |
than to urge them to eat less and |
wear less and save their money and |
buy thrift stamps?
"Mr, President, in the name of the |
oeace. progress, prosperity and well |
are of the United States and every /
one of Its people, we must not only |
femand, but must bring about and !
nationwide square deal
The need of drastic action by gov
srnmental agencies in the enforce
nent of the laws we now have has
been increasingly evident for months.
We already have laws against prof. |
eering. If those charged with en-
orcement Of these laws will see that |,
he profit hogs are sent to jail, prices
will soon tumble"
Urges jail for Millionaire.
Senator Lenroot. republican. Wis
consin, declared that IF single
were sent to Leayenworth
lnder the laws now on the books,
some Of this profiteering would be
stopped"
Attorney General Palmer" he said,
Is setting few mouse traps around
he country when he ought to be
setting bear traps. Not one thing is
lone to the big. profiteers."
Take the case OF sugar. BY laws
N the statute book. by additional
egislatlon passed last winter the ad
was empowered fully to
the situation, The President
efused 10 use that power and we
ave the situation the senator from
<ansas mas described 1t seems i'm
'ossioie 70 get an effective action to