Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-04-18

competitors production costs and
prices, the available supply and the
demand. Collection and public
dissemination of such statistical
data might make the operation of
such associations Of benefit to the
producer and consumer alike, but
unfortunately, the tendency is man.
lifested to confine the information
to members and to bring about UNI
form prices and to maintain them
lat an artificialiy nigh level by cur
failing production or supply
Fundamental Difficulty.
"a fundamental difficulty lies in
the fact that there is no complete
information available with refer
ence to the proper adjustment of
manufacturers, wholesalers and
retailers prices. When it becomes
possible for any governmental
body to determine at any stage the
cost which commodity represents
at that stage, it can be determined
whether an excessive charge is be-
ing placed"
The general causes of price in
equalities and suggested remedies
are summed up as follows:
Aside from the unfair methods
of compensation and aside from the
important elements of transporta-
tion and credit, we are of the opin-
ion that the following are among
principal causes:
Excessive Prices.
Excessive price of many basic
commodities, prominent among
which is coal, which vitality affects
the cost OF other commodities, to
say nothing of the effect on the
health and comfort and upon the
cost of living and buying power of
the people.
Existence of the typical cor
porate monopolies, and in distinc-
tion, agreements in violation of the
antitrust laws, is illustrated by
the condition in another basic COM
modify, to wit. lumber.
"Open price negotiations, in
many cases not challenged by the
law, yet tending to bring about
and maintain unduly high prices.
Interference with the channels
of trade by distributors, trade as
Isociations, particularly by activities
tending to maintain an unneces-
sary number of inefficient, regular
dealers, while shutting out new
dealers seeking to sell at lower
prices, and especially cooperative
purchasing and distributing organ
izations of consumers.
Foreign Combinations.
Conditions with respect to for.
leigh combinations in the interna-
tional market:
aside from the remedies af-
Iferded by improved transportation
lana credit facilities, we suggest re-
consideration or the following:
Passage of a bill to meet judi
cial objections to the authority OF
this commission to continue its eff
forts to obtain and publish infor-
nation respecting the ownership.
production, distribution, costs.
sales and profits in the basic in
dustries more directly affecting
the necessities of life for the infor-
nation of congress and the pro-
fmotion of the public welfare.
Vigorous prosecutions undo,
the antitrust laws, including a
lcloser scrutiny of the so-called
E"open price associations, to ascer-
tain whether they are violating the
law. Examination of associations
of distributors to determine wheth-
er violations of the law exist, par-
ticularly restrictions of co-opera-
tive purchases.
positive encouragement of CO.
operative associations of agricul-
tliral tnrOducers and of no. nneratiya
consumers organizations.s
Gambling on Futures.
Passage Of measures aimed at