New-York tribune., 1921-04-18

cessive charge is being placed thereon" :"
The general causes of price inequali-
ties and suggested remedies are
summed up as follows:
aside from the unfair methods of
competition with which we are daily
dealing, and aside from the important
elements of transportation and credit,
we are of the opinion that the follow
ing are among the principal causes
and are indicative and not necessarily
exhaustive of the subject:
First, the excessive price of many
basic commodities, prominent among
which is coal, which vitally affects the
cost of other commodities, to say moth
ing of the effect upon the health, com
fort and upon the cost of living and
buying power of the people.
'Secondly, the existence of the typi-
cal corporate monopolies, and in dis
tinction, agreements in violation of thu
antitrust laws, illustrated in the latter
instance by the condition in another
basic commodity, to wit, lumbe which
was the subject Of a; recent report by
this commission to the Department of
Justice and upon which that depart
n ent is now proceeding.
Third, open price associations, in
many cases not yet challenged by the
law yet tending to bring about and
maintain unduly high prices.
Interference by Distributors
Fourth, interference with the chan
nels of trade bv distributors trade as
sociations, particularly by activities
tending to maintain an unnecessary
number of inefficient regular dealers
while shutting out new dealers seeking
to sell at lower prices, and especially
cooperative purchasing and distribut-
ing organizations of consumers.
Fifth, the conditions with respect to
foreign combinations in the interna-
tional market, to which reference has
already been made.
aside from the remedies which may
be afforded by improved transportation
and credit facilities, we suggest con-
sideration of the following:
81. The passage of q bill which will
meet judicial objections to the author
ity of this commission to continue its
efforts to obtain and publish informa-
tion respecting the ownership, rroduc-
ton, distribution, cost, sales and profits
in the basic industries more directly
affecting the necessities of life-shel-
ter, clothing, food and fuel-for the in
formation of Congress and the promo
tion of the public welfare.
Strengthen Antitrust Laws
so. Vigorous prosecutions under the
antitrust laws, including a reeXamina-
ton of the renewable DEGREES already
entered in such cases, with view to
strengthen them to meet present condi
tions. including also a closer scrutiny
Of the so-called open price associations,
to ascertain whether, under the guise
of beneficial associations, they are in
r. IL. L 8
associations Of distributors to deter
mine whether violations of law exist,
particularly restrictions of cooperative
purchases, and whether any of the &C
tivities Of such associations are not Of
public service.
"3. Positive encouragement Of CO.
operative associations of agricultural
producers and of cooperative consum-
ers' organizations.
~. The passage of measures aimed
at the elimination of unnecessary recon-
signment and brokerage operations, in
Guiding also gambling in futures. Pyr-
amiding of reconsignments and of job
bing sales, while not possible in present
market conditions, was one of the
causes of the buyers strike, from which
we now suffer, and may reappear when
ever markets again become speculative.
Conference of Trading Nations
"5. Calling conference of official
representatives of the trading nations
Of the world to consider the question of
clearing the channels of international
trade so as to eliminate undesirable
combinations and to promote fair COM
petition.
Sc Protection of the farmer against
the more closely organized elements with
which he has to deal, by extending Fed
eral assistance in giving more adequate
and timely information concerning for
eign and domestic market conditions and
in afFording more ample and suitable
local market and storage facilities for
the serviceable conservation of perisha-
bic farm products"