The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-04-18
FEDERAL TRADE
COMMISSION IN
LENGTHY REPORT
Elimination Of. Unnecessary
Brokerage and Stronger
Commission Powers Are
Urged - Retail Prices
Should Be Lower

WASHINGTON. April 17.-LegisAtton TO
eliminate unnecessary brokerage trans
actions. 10 facilitate n wide distribution
of information regarding market condi-
tionS and 10 strengthen tho powers OF
the federal government in its spring in
vest! cations - recommended by the fed
"ral trad" commission in report on the
general !nduStria! situation. drawn mp IA
.nr request Of President Harding and
made. pubic Tonight at the white house.
Open price associations" which opcr-
atc within the law 70 keep their respec-
tive members advised confidentially or
one anothrr'S price schedules are ac-
cLScd bv the commission Of contributing
,n the maintenance OF unduly high retail
prices. 1t is suggested that means must
be found 10 reduce costs of necessities.
such as fuel and housing. before other
commodities can come back to normal
"It should he said" the report con-
clud-s that following the disordered
condition OF the worlds affairs. shrink
age in values is inevitable and that nor
MA! conditions will be the more quickly
restored IL the producer. the labore-. the
manufa cturer, the jobber. and the retail
er will each share at once in the un-
av oidabic loss. and further that any ef-
fort by any element 10 place It's share
OF the common loss on the shoulders OF
others, and particularly OF the consum-
crs, can but result in a continuation OF
the conditions under which the country
~ now suffering"
Astardsd by Retailer.
Declaring that the cost Of commodities
to the consumer has not, broadly speak
:ng, been reduced in proper proportion TO
the decline in agricultural and other raw
materials, the commission sets forth its
belief that "in general, II would appear
that the movement toward the reouc-
ton Of prices 10 the consumer Is retarded
chiefly at the retailing stage. and that
relief at this point would be reflcctec
back In increased production which
would reduce the production cost ano re-
lievc 70 some extent at least the check
upon the manufacturer, and by increas-
ing the demand for raw materials wou!d
react upon the producer.
The report also takes note Of the m
fluence Of foreign combinations or capt.
tai in determining the price or sucn COM
moditics as phosphate. tobacco and
grain, and adds that among domestic
combina tons ono Of the newest anu
roo st widespread agencies for affecting
markets Is the open pi iSc G-,SoSA<~@'O''
"One Of the purposes of these hsso-
ciations," the repoI' continues. "noinl-
nally is 10 determine uniform cost ac-
counting methods and to steady the
market by furnishing the supply which
IL can readily absorb. These associa-
tions collect and publish for the oenc-
fit of their members figures Of produc-
tions, production costs, sales and SAFES
prices and orders and stocks, in issuance
OF A plan whereby the members OF such
association are TO compete among them
selves and with others with knowledge
Of their own and their competitors pro
duc,jon costs and prices the available
supply and the demand The coilec-
,!on and public dissemination or sucn
statistical data might make the oper-
s;:cn Of such associations OF benent I"
the producer and the consumer alike.
but unfortunately the tendency IS mere
manifested To coniine the Information
to members and 70 bring about uniform
nric,s and to maintain them at an arti-
dciallv high level by curtalllnS pro
duct;on or supply through action Which
,cnds strongly toward uniformity be-
caus. based upon common snformation'
h,,r u.hich purpor,s IN lack the clement
NJ concerted agreement characteristic
(conttnued On Page 1vo.)