The Washington times., 1921-04-12

ness as well as more business in
government. 1t is well to have 1t
understood that business has right
to pursue it's normal. legitimate,
and righteous way unimpeded. and 1t
ought have no call to meet Govern
inent competition where all risk Is
borne by the Public Treasury. There
is no challenge to honest and law
full business success. But Govern
ut approval of fortunate, untram-
meled business does not mean toll
Grafton of restraint of trade or OF
maintained prices by unnatural
methods. 1t is we'll to have legiti-
mate business understand that q
just Government, mindful of the
interests of all the people. has a
right to expect the cooperation OF
that legitimate business In stamp
ing out the practices which add to
unrest and inspire restrictive legis-
lation. Anxious as we are to restore
the onward flow of business, II Is
fair to combine assurance and warn
ingin one utterance.
One condition In the business world
may well receive your inquiry. De-
fiation has been in progress but has
failed to reach the mark where II
can be proclaimed to the great mass
production has been recorded. but
high cost of living has not yielded in
like proportion. For example, the
prices on grains and live stock have
been Debated, but the cost Of bread
aid meats Is not adequately reflected
therein. 1t is to be expected that nom
perishable staples will be slow In
yielding to lowered prices, but the
maintained retail costs in perishable
foods can not be justified.
MUST ADJUST FAIR PRICES.
- have asked the Federal Trade
Commission for a report Of it's obser-
vations. and it attributes, in the main.
the failure to adjust consumers coat
to basic production costs to the ex-
chang of information by "open-price
associations" which operate, evident
ly, within, the law, to the very great
advantage of their members and equal
disadvantage to the consuming pub
lie. Without the spirit of hostility
or haste in accusation of profiteering,
some suitable inquiry by Congress
might speed the price readjustment to
normal relationship, with helpfulness
to both producer and consumer. ~
measuring rod of fair prices will sat
isfy the country and give us a busi-
ness revival to end all depression AMI
unemployment.
The great interest OF both the pro-
ducer and consumer-indeed, all our
industrial and commercial life. from
agriculture to finance-m the prob
lens OF transportation will find its re-
feN in your concern to aid re-estab-
lishment, to restore efficiency, AMI
bring tYapsnnrfa n fiou rnsf ipfo he
ful relationship rather than continue
1T as hindrance to resumed activities.
1t is little to be wondered at ILL
considered legislation, the war strain.
Government operation in heedlessness
of cost, and the conflicting programs.
or the lack OF them, for restoration
have brought about a most difficult
situation. made doubly difficult by the
low tide of business. All are so in
timately related that no Improvement
will be permanent until the railways
are operated efficiently at a cost with
in that which the traffic can bear.
II we can have IL understood that
Congress has no sanction for Govern
ment ownership, that Congress does
pot levy taxes upon the people to COW
er deficits in a service which should
be self-sustaining. there will be an
avowed foundation on which to re-
build.
REDUCE RAILWAY RATES.
Freight-carrying charges have
mounted higher and higher until COM
merce is halted and production dis
couraged. Railway rates and costs of
operation must be reduced.
Congress may well investigate and