Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-18
JUST WHEN IT WAS GOING GOOD

that relief at this point would be reflected :, back in increased production, which would reduce. the production cost and i relieve to some extent at least the check | upon the manufacturer. and by increas- | ing the demand for raw materials would | react upon the producer" |
 The report also takes note If the in- i fiuence of foreign combinations of capital |, in determining the price of such com l modities as phosphate, tobacco and grain. i and adds that among domestic combin- l ations one of the newest and most wide spread agencies for Affecting markets is i the "open price associated" One of the purposes these associa- tions," the report continues, ''nominally | IS to determine uniform cost accounting methods and to steady the market by furnishing the supply which 1t can readi- | ly absorbs. These associations collect and I publish for the benefit of their members l figures of production, production costs, sales and saves prices and orders and stocks, in pursuance of a plan whereby ] the members of such associations are to- l complete among themselves and with others with knowledge of their own and l their competitors production cost and
 prices, the available supply and the de- mand.
 The collection and public dissenina-
 tion of such statistical data. might the operating of such associations of benefit
 to the produced and the consumer alike,
 the tendency is here manifested to con fine the informants to members and to
 bring about uniform prices and to. main
 tain them, at an artificially high level by curtailing production or supply through
 action which tends strongly toward uni-
 formity, because based upon common fn-
 formation. but which ourports, to lack fhA Al 1R
 isterized of the combination fo- bidden
 by the Sherman lay..-.H
 "A fundamental difficulty at the pres-
 ent time lies in the .act that there Is
 no complete information available :o
 anyone with reference to the proo>r a3-
 justment of manufacturers, wholesalers
 and retailers prices in any industry. When 1t becomes possible for any fact
 finding governmental body to determine ! at any stage the cost which commo-
 dity represents at thu. state, 1t can be l determined whether an excessive charge
 is being placed thereon
 The general causes of prize in4quail-
 ties and suggested remedies are s5mr ed up as follows:
 "Aside from the unfair methods ti competition with which we are daily : dealing and aside from the important . elements of transportation and credit
 we are of the opinion that the following
 are among the principal causes and al
 indicative and not necessarily exhaus 7 tive of the subject:
 i, First the excessive price of rrany . ba7ic commodities. prominent among which is coal. which vitally affects tn, ' cost of other commodities. to say nothin, 5 Eof the effect upon the health. and com. fort and upon the cost of living anI buy 2 ing power of the people.
 . Second, the existence of the aypica h corporate monopolies. and in distinction n aereements in violation of the anti-trus
 laws, illustrated in the latter instanc
 by the condition in another basic com
 modity, to wit. lumber. which was tn
 subject of a recent report by th's com D mission to the department of jus ice an V upon which that department new r-o ,s ceeding.
 If Third, open price association. in man m cases not yet challenged by the law .d tending to bring about and maintain UT .e duly high prices. ..: ,t Fourth. interference with the channe'
 oftrade by distributors trade associa m tions. particularly by activities tendin ,e to maintain an unnecessary member (
 inefficient regular dealers. while shut
 ting out; new dealers seeking to sell a
 lower prices, and especially co-operatiy
 purchasing and distributing organiza N tion of consumers. . 70
 Fifth, the conditions with respect
 foreign combinations in the information. nd market, to which reference has alread in been made. f.< at Aside from the remedies which ms ts be afforded by improved t-ansporia' C d. and credit facilities, we suggest ccns.jt heJ ation of the following:
 a. 1-The passage of bill which vi he meet judicial objections to the authorl
 of this commission to continue Its effor es to obtain and publish information T k specting the ownership, production. di on tributien, cost. sales, and profits in q Ter basic inductries more directly affectiI tn the necessities of life-shelter, clothin D. food, and fue:-for- the information re- congress and the promotion of the publ re- welfare. 2. 's nd "2-vigorous prosecutions under tl