The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-30
Mr.. Daugherty's Inquiry
Into Retail Prices
By BILL PRICE.


qury Attorney General DAUGHERTY is starting
into the retail prices of foods fuels, clothing,
Shoes etc. He doubtless has information not available
to others, and understands what he is doing.
So far Washington is concerned, the official fig
of the Government to reduction Of the cost OF
living to indicate that the people of this city
fortunate than in many others. AS between New
York city and Washington, for example, there is mar
gin of cost quite favorable to the residents Of the
National Capital This too in spite of the fact that in
most large cities the buying power of the has
been reduced to such extent that the most lively
competition has existed among retailers In this city
competition has been keen enough to keep profits
within reasonable figures and the has bene
fitted thereby. Washington never feels national de-
preston like other cities, owing to the fact that the
largest employer here is Uncle SAM and that his pay
roll is always big one.
If retail prices subject to manipulation by
bnations and agreements then the Department of JUS
tice will know how to proceed and whatever action it
is able to take will be appreciated by the public, which
is quite willing to prices go lower. Independent
Investigations here do not to indicate that there is
anything like manipulation of retail prices through
understandings of presumed competitors in the
lines of business. Washington business men whole
showed up clean during days. when Government
agencies kept sharp eye prices.
The facts brought out then and existing today,
showed that the discriminating buyer has splendid
opportunities in this city to purchase supplies at rea-
sonable prices upon which the profits not exorbi-
tan In food products especially and is, this true
The ash-andcarry customer and does save much
money by alertness to prices. The thing may
hold where purchases are made on credit and
the cost of delivery must be included There are also
those who cannot be induced to buy at bargain
prices. 1t is shocking to their ideas of social class
There can be doubt of the existence of business
establishments which maintain prices somewhat higher
than others, but, rule these cater to people who
prefer to pay prices suitable to themselves for supplies
goods of special brand, which they regard
adapted to their needs. During the when the
1oDAOf OBJ, ,oJ
price lists for guidance these buyers maintained their
preferences and disdaned to go where they might
money.
Unless freight rates decreased the cost of the
necessities of life may increase and may be that the
Attorney General hopes to prevent any increase by
campaign of education of the public to the advantages
open to all who keep thoroughly informed to prices
and buy where they may do best for themselves.
The two most serious factors in the cost of living
today, besides prevailing high freight rates, high
rents and the cost of coal and other fuels Coal OF
Washington their will 4gness to have their
profits Investigated that it may be determined where
the cost in to the consumer between the mine
and the furnace stove.
household where the income is 81 44O annually is
compelled to pay out of that $45 to $50 monthly
for house which rented at the beginning of the war;
at from $5 to $35 monthly Apartments have increased
at greater rate Coal retaed at 81 per ton before
the started The price is virtually twice that much
today, whether due to high wages at the mines, high
freight rates exorbitant profits somewhere
There is large class of Westinghouse who should
have the protection of law of public sentiment
These the thousands of young people who must OBJ
tain their meals in restaurants, lunch eating
houses Every outstanding fact to clearly ind
cate that food prices in these places have not declined
anywhere the percentage shown in food products
Some restaurants in Washington today maintain
higher prices than during days and getting
away with it.
While the cost of living has perceptiby decreased to
families living in their own or rented homes, the de-
has been barely apprecabe to those who must