The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-08-18
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National Topics Interpreted "a fTYFYRFRf8k
by William Bruckart An<nf1F
by William Bruckart


ties.
The Department of Agriculture has
set for itself the big job of establish
ing fair prices for
To Check the consumer while
Profteering giving what is tan
tamount to7a guar
antee of higher prices for the things
the farmer produces. Through a Sc
ries of statements, Secretary Wallace
has repeatedly affirmed that the re-
turns to the farmers must be increased
in every direction. simultaneously,
DR.. Fred G. Howe, who as the consum-
ers' counsel represents the side of the
buyers in the governments agricul-
tural set-up, made the announcement
that he was going to compile weekly
lists of prices for publication as
means of protecting against the prof.
teer.
From this arrangement it would be
made to appear that there will have to
be reasonable prices maintained every
where on food commodities. But OBJ
servers here have been picking up nu-
merous angles Of the situation which
they believe contain elements Of trou-
BILE. Doctor Howe, of course, will be
able to gather price lists at whatever
rate and in whatever volume he de-
sires, and he can get them distributed
through the press and through the
radio to the bulk of the people Of the
United States. But the question that
is being asked here is, what method
is Doctor Howe going to employ that
will fix price just and reasonable
everywhere and provide the farmers
with all Of the return promised them?
Some of the more critical say there is
likelihood that Doctor Howe is going
to run into difference of opinion,
what with farmers demanding more,
added expenses forcing the retailer to
charge more and the ultimate con-
sumner with limited means of buying
the things concerned.
Of course, there can be no doubt but
that some retailers are going to try to
capitalize on the situation and prof.
teer on prices. Doctor Howe is set
to defeat them by the weight Of public
opinion which must be regarded as a
commendable course. Yet, according
to the consensus one finds in Washing
ton, that which Doctor Howe an
nounces as a fair and reasonable price
Is unlikely always to fit the situation.
In the course Of negotiations be-
tween the recovery administrators and
Industrial represent
It's a Tough atives, one of the
p.oAI.,.. great problems was
how to arrange a
fair basis for competition when diff
ferent factories had such widely diff
ferent costs of production. The high
ly efficient plant could produce at
much lower cost, obviously, than could
the plant that was obsolete in equip
ment and managed in haphazard fash
ion. The same situation obtains with
respect to retailers. Chain stores with
great buying power and the resultant
ly going to be able to sell at a lower
price than the Independent store own
er who buys in small quantities and
has higher overhead costs. Now, say
the critical-minded, If Doctor Howe
fixes as fair price that for which the
chain store is able to sell it's goods,
what is going to happen to the indie
pendents? If, on the other hand, the
price level quoted by Doctor Howe APP
proximates the price charged by the
independent, then the chain store can
and undoubtedly will get all of the
business. 1t will make use Of those
figures in advertising the fact that the
chain store prices are "below the gov
eminent price" Manifestly, that will
be unfair to the Independent. But, I
am prompted to ask, what can Doctor
Howe do about it?
In announcing his program to estab-
fish fair prices, Doctor Howe said
there were consumers councils being
organized in scores of cities and towns.
These, he averred, would help In see
ing that no merchant profiteered.
There can be no doubt of the fact that
these consumers councils will exert
a tremendous influence. Old-timers
here, however, recalled that the fight
against profiteering during the World
war developed many nasty situations.
Overzealous individuals, conscientious
in their efforts, but sometimes a bit
shy of horse sense, made a personal
matter out of such things as patriotic
action.
Prof. Raymond Moley has been de-
tached as assistant secretary Of state
to have charge of the federal govern
ment's campaign against crime. espe- |
cially kidnapping and racketeering. II |
was the first break in the brain |
trust" that group of professors with
whom the President surrounded him.
self. Some weeks ago wrote in these
columns the prediction that such a re-
suit had to come It was obvious. |
The professor and his theories can be
used by the statesmen and practical