Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1917 — THE RETAIL MENACE [ARTICLE]

THE RETAIL MENACE

Government action in food price regulation has had some splendid results. No careful observer of events can doubt that without such action, r prices would now be at a prohibitive height. But the abuses have not all been eliminated. True the big sharks have had their teeth effectively extracted. but there are still a multitude of smaller fry whose activities are as strenuous as ever.

For instance, reports come from various cities that prices of vegetables and perishable fruits have been exceptionally high, while in these same localities farmers have had these same commodities to spoil on their hands for want of a market. There can be but one reason for this—collusion between the retailers. This collusion is greatly aided by the average city marketing regulations. In most cities the re, strictions placed on hucksters and peddlers are very stringent. These restrictions virtually protect the retailers from all competition, so that the “gentlemen’s agreement’’ is easily maintained. J In the present emergency it is a question if it would not be the part of wisdom for all our cities to entirely abolish peddlers’ licenses, at least so far as foodstuffs are concerned. This would institute a healthy competition “ that would have a very salutary effect on food prices. THE ELDERLY MAN’S INNING If this war does nothing for this country, it will be almost worth its cost when it shall have altered the national view of the elderly man in business. For years past the business world has clamored for “young blood.' - In almost every line gray hairs have been taboo, though they might adorn heads filled with the wisdom of a Solomon. At every turn one has been met by youngsters scarce out of college, in positions of the highest honor and trust —positions that should have had the attention that only age and | experience could bring to them. One potent cause for this sTafe of affairs has been the strenuous pace at which business has been going for the past few decades. Along with this has gone the idea that the elderly man could not stand the pace—forgetting that in order to accomplish the maximum of achievement it was not necessary for him to maintain the pace, as his skill and experience, born of long practice, counted for more than the dash and fire of his younger competitor. This state of affairs has been carried to ap extreme, and the really capable men of the country have been in numberless instances displaced by youngsters with very little to recommend them save their “dash.’’ But the tide has turned. With the calling of the younger men to the colors, the managers of the business world are being compelled to have recourse to the despised gray hairs. We repeat that if the war shall bring no other benefit than to restore to us a just appreciation of age and experience—-of course we have no reference to the dotard it will have been almost worth the cost.