The Washington times., 1921-09-06
EXPlO|TAT|ONOF
MASSES IS LAID
TOREPUb[|CANS
Democrats Charge O. o. p. De-
liyerIng Country Into Hands OF
Trusts and Monopolies.
BY A. o. HAYWARD.
International News service.

With an eye TO next years con-
gressional elections. the Democrats
In Congress have launched an attack
against the American valuation sys.
tenn applied TO tariffs on imports,
Charging that II this Republican pro.
CRANE goes through the country win
be delivered "hog.tied into the hands
OF trusts, monopolies. and price-fixing
organizations"
The Democrats Leaders In Con-
gress want to educate the people
to this iniquity" and are sending out
much mail matter to their constitu'
encies bearing on Il. Preliminary
political campaigns viii begin actively
about January ! and nominations In
many States win be made early in
the spring. The Democrats are get
ting an early start.
Old Scheme Scented.
The trust controlled" and "monop'
oiistic produced" articles have fixed
wholesale market prices. and when
the American valuation plan becomes
effective as the basis for imposing
the tariff duties the trusts, monopo.
lies and price. fixing organizations will
run up the wholesale market price 20
prohibitive and an effective Chinese
wall will be raised against imports.
the Democrats charge.
Accompanying the argument there
Is being cited AZ object lessons OF
control Of organizations over prices,
the steel trust. harvester trust. pack
ers trust, aluminium trust, cement
trust, Southern hardwood trust. su.
gar trust, oil trust, and all the vart-
Gus big and little combinations
charged with controlling prices.
The ease with which price fixing
can become general in the United
States was demonstrated, II In being
pointed out, by Bernard M. Baruch
In his organization and direction Of
the War Industries Board during tho
war period. Baruch started out with
the purpose Of coordinating all essen
tial industries for the successful
prosecution Of the war. He had to
livery and fix prices because the Gov
eminent was the buyer first to be sat
isfied. the peoples needs being made
secondary. w. E.t
Antitrust Laws Waived.
With the aid Of the United States
Chamber Of Commerce he brought the
competing essential industries into
war production and price-fix.ng or
CARNATIONS. All antitrust laws were
waived for the great emergency-the
winning of the war--and all considera.
tons set aside save those Of produc.
ton to meet the needs Of the country
at profitable but not extortionate cost
prices.
The industry organizations created
their war service committees which
arranged all details of production and
prices with Baruch and his war indus
tries board. There were short inves-
legations into production costs and
quick decisions by the price.fixing
committee. Of which Robert 8. Brook.
ings was chairman. The result was
production at maximum without COM
petition or price cutting.
Old War Plan Seen.
Democrats claim that the Republi.
can leaders with their adpotion Of the
American valuation plan are substi-
tuting industry war service commit
tees. easily reelected II they have been
actually disbanded. for Baruch and his
price-fixing committee, encoura ging
industry organization and price-fixing
and turning over to such organizations
the tariff to be used to crush imports.
kill competition, and lead the Amer
lean people down under high prices.