South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-18
ASKS LAWS TO
CHECK PRESENT
RETAIL PRICES
Federal Trade Board Submits
Report on I. ;. Indus
trial Conditions.
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influence OF foreign combinations
OF capital i'm determining the price
OF such commodities as Lhosphata.
tobacco and grain and adds that
among domestic combinations. one
Of the newest and most widespread
agencies for affecting markets IS
the open price association
The general causes OF price n
equalities 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 i'm
portant 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.
Excessive Prices.
First the excessive price of many
basic commodities. prominent
among which is coal which vitality
affects the cost Of other CommOdi-
ties. to say nothing Of the effc,t
upon the health and comfort and
upon the cost of living and buying
power OF the people.
Second. the existence OF the typ
ical corporate mOnopolies, and in
distinction. agreements in violation
OF the antitrust laws, illustrated in
the latter instance by the condi-
ton in another basic commodity. to-
wit, lumber, which was the subject
OF a recent report by this commits
sion TO the department Of justice.
and upon which that department is
now proceeding.
Third, open price associations, in
many cases not yet challenged by
the law yet tending 10 bring about
and maintain unduly higher prices.
Fourth, interference with the
channels of trade by distributors
trade associations, particularly by
activities tending to maintain an
unnecessary number Of inefficient
regular dealers. while shutting out
new dealers seekin gtO sell at lower
prices, and especially operative pur-
tiOn Of consumers.
Fifth. the conditions with respect
10 foreign combinations in the in
ternauonal market. TO which refer
ance has already been made.
Suggest Remedies.
ASIDE from the remedies which
may be afforded by improved trans
portation and credit facilities, we
suggest consideration OF the follow
ing:
1.-THE passage of a. bill which
Will meet judicial objections 10 the
authority of this commission 20 con-
unue its efforts to obtain and pub
lish information respecting the
ownership. production, distribution,
costs. sales and prifts in the basic
Industries more directly affecting
the necessities OF life - shelter.
clothing, food and fuel-for the in
4 formation Of congress and the pro-
motion Of the public welfare.
Vigorous prosecutions under
I the antitrust laws. including a re-
examination OF the renewable de-
/ crees already entered in such cases.
with a view to strengthen them TO
meet present conditions. including
also a closer scrutiny of the So
called open price associations, 10 as
certain whether under the guise OF
beneficial associations, they are in
fact violating the law. EXamina-
tons of associations of distributors
. Irso nh al ~
law exist, particularly restrictions of
I cooperative purchases. and whether
any of the activities of such asso-
Citations are not public service.
Encourage Cooperation.
"3-Positiye encouragement of CO.
operative associations of agricul-
tural producers and Of cooperative
/ consumers organizations.
"4-The passage Of measures
aimed at the elimination OF I'M
/ necessary reconsignment and brok-
4 erage operations, including also
gambling in futures Pyramiding OF
reconsignments and Of jobbing sales
while not possible in present market
conditions. was one Of the causes of
4 the buyers strike, from which we
now suffer. and may reappear when
ever markets again become specu-
lative
Calling a conference OF Off
cial representatives of the trading
nations Of the world TO consider the
question OF clearing the channels OF
7 international trade so as 10 elimi-
nate undesirable combinations and
20 promote fair competition
"6-Protection Of the farmer
aginst the more closely organized
elements with which he has TO deal
by extending federal assistance in
giving more adequate and timely
/ information concerning foreign and
domestic market conditions and in
affording more ample and suitable
local market and storage facilities
4 for the serviceable conservation OF
/ perishable farm products"