Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1919 — HOW TO CURB HIGH PRICES [ARTICLE]

HOW TO CURB HIGH PRICES

People Aid I’roflteer* By Orgy of Extravagant Buying. Washington, August 16.—William Mather Lewis, director of the savings division of the treasury department who has returned to Washington from a visit to the various federal reserve districts, asserted in an official statement that the people in many parts of the country are virtually in league with the profiteers. He said: “A vertible orgy of extravagant buying is going on. The reaction from the careful use of money during wartime is widespread and disturbing. Retailers are securing goods from jobbers without arguing about prices, Ts they can only be assured of immediate delivery. They know their customers will Bramble for the goods, regardless of cost. Thus, with an abnormal demand and a limited output, nothing else can be expected than high prices. It is a natural, plough deplorable, conseqifefice that profiteers abound. “The people must return to the policy of careful buying and regular saving If they wish to help the situation. The treasury department, in order to combat this artificial situation, is intensifying and speeding up its thrift campaign. Statements on the principles of finance and the laws of investments an<f budgetry are being brought to workers in factories, to farmers, to business and. professional men, and members of women’s organizations, by means of printed publicity and the spoken word. A nationwide attack upon swindlers who are persuading people to dispose ot their Liberty bonds and War Savings stamps is also being Inaugntrated.

■“Throughout Now England Ravings and thrift organizations already are exerting their combined efforts to combat increased cost of the necessities of life. Saving directors and hundreds of officers of savings, societies are taking the lead in disseminating information as to fair prices. "In their communities they are aiding the determination and publication of fair prices and in curbing unjust profits. They are following the plan of campaign recently outlined by -Governor W. P. G. Hard-, lag, of the federal reserve board, to promote regular and efficient work to increase production and Insure reasonable economies and to devote that production to necessities rather than extravagances or luxuries. , “Steps are being taken to Insure similar efforts throughout the other federal reserve districts.’’