The New York herald., 1921-04-18
OPEN PRICE BODIES
ARE HELD TO BLAME
Continued from First Page.

determined whether an excessive charge
is being placed thereon
The general causes Of price inequalities
and suggested remedies are summed up
as follows aside from unfair methods
of competition and the elements Of
transportation and credit we are OF the
opinion that the following are among
the principal causes and are indicative
and not necessarily exhaustive of the
subject:
"First-Excessive price of many basic
commodities, prominent among which is
coal, which vitally affects the cost OF
other commodities besides the peoples
health. comfort and cost of living and
buying power
'Second-Corporate monopolies and
agreements in violation OF the antitrust
laws. Illustrated in lumber. which was
the subject of recent report by this
commission to the Department of Jus
tice, and upon which that Department
is row proceeding.
'Third-Open price associations, in
many cases not yet challenged by the
law, yet tending to bring about and
maintain unduy high prices
"F'ourth-Interferen with the chan
nels OF trade by distributors trade asso-
Citations, particularly by activities tend
ing to maintain an unnecessary number
of inefficient regular dealers. while
shutting out new dealers seeking to sell
at lower prices. and especially coopera-
tive purchasing and distributing organi-
cations of consumers.
"Fifth-Conditions with respect to
foreign combinations in the international
market.
ASIDE from the remedies afforded by
improved transportation and credit
facilities, we suggest the following:
Passage Of a bill which viii meet
judicial objections to the authority of
this commission to continue its efforts
to obtain and publish information re-
spectinG the ownership, production, dis
tribution. cost. sales and profits in the
basic industries more directly affecting
the necessities of life-shelter. clothing
food and fuel-for the Information of
Congress and the promotion of the pub
lie welfare.
''2-Vigorous prosecutions under the
antitrust laws, including a reexamina-
tion 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,
examination of associations of distribu-
tors to determine whether violations Of
law exist. particularly restrictions of
cooperative purchases. and whether any
OF the activities of such associations are
not OF public service.
"3-Positive encouragement of CO.
operative associations of agricultural
producers and of cooperative con-
sumers' organizations
"4-Passage Of measures aimed at the
elimination of unnecessary reconsign-
ment and brokerage operations, includ-
ing also gambling in futures. Pyramid
ing of reconsignments and of jobbing
sales while not possible in present mar
ket conditions. was one of the causes OF
the buyers strike, from which we now
suffer, and may reappear whenever mar
kets again become speculative.
"5-Calling a 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.
"6-Protection of the farmer against
the more closely organized elements
with which he has to deal by extending
Federal assistance In giving more ade-
quate and timely information concern
ing foreign and domestic market condi-
tions and in affording more ample and
suitable local market and storage faciii-
ties for the serviceable conservation OF
perishabe farm products"