The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-21
COMMISSIONERS
CRE!DTIFORN0RR

Declaring that the work Of the
special price Investigation cons
mission appointed By Judge E, Nj
Showatser at the November terri
OF the criminal court had aideu
materially In reducing the cost OF
living in this city and recommend.
ing that Judge showalter make the
commission permanent, the GRIM
mai court grand jury, which had
been In session since early In Jan.
iuRry with the exception Of a couple
ofvacations made It's final report to
Judge Showalter IN open court yes
terday afternoon and was dlcharg.
cd.
Notwithstanding the fact that
the jury had been investigating the
report handed It BY the special
commission for several days, ny
indictments were returned for con-
spIracy to fix prices or for protit-I
eering. However O.. s. Mckinney
foreman Of the grand jury, stated
In his remarks to Judge Showalter'
that some Of the testimony produe-
ed by the commission was very
damaging aud that It showed some,
tendency had been shown by local
merchants 10 meet and ftx prices
and also that attempts had hsSn
made to stop people from scliMg
fruit from box cars in the local
railroad yard because 1t was being.
placed oil the market at prices 'bes
low that charged by local mer
chants.
Foreman Mckinney also told
Judge showalter that during the
last 30 days the cost OF food PTS
ducts had been greatly reduced ia
this city. In regard to this, Mr.
Mckinney added that the grand
jury investigated and found out
that while the Wholesale costs had
not been reduced to any extent
during tho same period that thew
duction in retail prices in this city
were quite noticeable, especially in
the price OF meats. Mr.. Mckinney
also stated that the Jurors were
unable to find any reason why the
cost OF things should be any higher
Fin the local market than In other
markets as conditions here were
not different from IN other citios.
Judge Showalter had an order
entered maintaining the price il-
yestigatIon commission and named
Miss Jennie Fleming TO fill the va
cancy caused by the resignation OF
Mrs. James A. Meredith, when Ekef
moved to Charleston where her
husband rs now on the supreme
court bench.
IN a few we'll chosen words.
Judge Showaltcr thanked the jury
for its excellent work during the
session and explained to the mem
bers that In naming the commits
sion to investigate prices and hays
ing It's report lpid before The grand
Jury 1t was not his intention to
advertise FaIrmont 10 the outside
world as an expensive city in which
to live but that something had to
be done to lower the high cost of
living.
In concluding, Judge Showalter3
held that the only way to restore
prosperity was TO put the people OF
the country back TO work, and the
only way 10 put tho people back To-
work was 10 secure u SEDUCTION u
wages paid 10 workmt' and tha
only way TO secure reduction w
wages was TO secure a reduction in
the cost OF living.
The petit jurors having been dis
charged last week and the grand
jury having finished It's work yes
terday, tho January term Of Grim
Iual court will be concluded In n
day or two when the odds and ends
Of the term can be straightened out
by Judge Showalter and the court
officials.