nrrrp
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tf VEItfLNU . PUBLIC LEDGER .PHlLAJJjaLWilA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1919
r 5
CITY HELPLESS TO HIT
SHYSR'CNI
War Over, Hoinz's Hands Are
Impotent to Act Without
U. S. Aid
ONLY REMEDY IN CONGRESS
IJy OKOItOE NOX McCAIN
"There is uotlilnR more 'to be said
on the fooil mibjert ami profiteerinK.
Raid Chnrlcs J. Hepburn today. Mr.
Hepburn was chief counsel for the food
ndminlstratlon In Pennsylvania.
"Mr. Helnz'H statement issued nfter
his conference with Attorney Gencrnl
I'nlmer dismissed the subject for the
llir belnir. The next move is lip to
WashlnRton," added Mr. Hepburn.
There are some hundreds of thou
sands of persons in Philadelphia who
nrc sadly . puzzled over the twin sub
jects of food prices and profiteering.
- Avhy does not the government or
the food administration, or somebody,
do something to end this intolerable
situation? Every housewife knows
that the prices of food have run wild.
The family with the ordinary income
must struggle to make ends meet.
New York Has Right Idea
In New York, something like 3000
, retail grocers have been investigated.
"Why arc not the grocers of Philadel
phia investigated, and the conscience
less profiteers exposed and punished?
"And now they tell us that they
have no law to punish profiteers and
stop this food gouging," cry thou
bands of Indignant people.
All the nbovc is true.
So far as the conscienceless cold
blooded profiteer is concerned, no de
nunciations nrc quite equal to his
crimes. He hns neither conscience nor
morals. He is in plain terms a thief
in dlsgtiiei
It is nlo true that Howard Heinz,
who was food administrator during the
war, nnd Charles J. Hepburn, his chief
i-ounsel nnd legal ndviscr, are for the
time being perfectly helpless. As mat
tcis stand they can do nothing.
rood I-ivts Dead letter
The war is ocr nnd the food laws
are n dead letter. .
Here is the story :
The United State food administra
tion in Pennsylvania during the eighteen
months of its operation hnd the power
and might of the 1'uited States Gov
ernment nt its back. But there were
flaws ccn in the Lover act. the law
under which the food administration
operated. Take one instance alone.
Thorn wns no nrovision for punishing the
small crocer who profiteered. The big
follow, or the crocer who did a busi
ness of SI 00,000 or more a year, could
be reached and punished.
Vhv?
Became he was a licensee. He was
licensed by the food administration, as
provided bj law. to do business. As n
licensee, he was subject to the food
laws. He could be closed up or com
pelled to make n donation to the Bed
' Crossor go out of business permanently
If he disobeyed.
In New York, however, the corner
grocer could be reached and punished
for profiteering. This fact caused con
siderable ciiticism of the Pennsylvania
food administration during its operation.
It was an unjust criticism.
"It New York can punish profiteers
and corner grocers who charge exorbi
tant prices, why cannot the same thing
be done iu Pennsylvania?"
Because the New York Legislature at
the begiuning of the war passed n bill
to prew'iit profiteering in food, nnd pui
rldcd for the appointment of a state
commission to see that this law was
carried inlo effect, Every food handler
came under its operation.
When the I'nited States Food Ad
ministration came Into existence the
Food mlmlnistrators of New York city
nnd New York state joined forces with
'the federal commission. What the
United States officers could not do the
State Food Commission did for them.
Pennsylvania has no law on her books
defining profiteering In foodstuffs,
much Icsb punishing It. There was only
the national food law. Now that the
war Is over that law Is Inoperative cx--cent
in reference to hoarding food and
one or two other features. And right
here rises the question :
"But you reached the corner grocer
when the food administration was nc
tlve and punished hundreds of
them, why Isn't it possible to do so
now? "
The question is enslly answered. The
corner grocer during the war was
reached through the "big fellow:"
through the license; the wholesaler or
retailer who did n business of more
thnn $100,000 a year. The process was
known as the "unfair order." The
first case occurred in Pittsburgh.
there la now before the Congress legls- tho Empyrean
lation which, wnen passed it It is pass-' sufTer,
cd will lessen or prevent profiteering,! In the menntime, by mutual
because It will be made a crime pun- ment among nil parties concerned
isliablc by fine nud imprisonment. the nttornev general. Messrs. Gin
The appointment of fair price com
mittees in Philadelphia or the state,
under the circumstnuefs, would be use
less. This fact was recognized by Mr.
Heinz and nil the legal powers at the
conference. A committee can bo named,
but It has no power to net. The mcr
and the people still l'c Is employed. His skull was frac
tured. He is in n serious condition ai
agree- f, iimminil. Ciimden The auto
wns ilriieu li William Tletz. of ill 4
.Torso1 avenue, (iloucoster. lieiz was
held in .."00 bull
viz.,
row
nnd Hepburn, respective! , national nnd
state ronm-el for the food administra
tions, nnd Howard Heinz will arrange
for the appointment of price-fixing
committees over the state and in Phila
delphia ns far as possible.
It is possible timt lie may refrain
chant, the middlemnn, the small grocer, I from publishing the personnel of these
Cites Hepburn's Work
Mr. Hepburn devised the plan. He
tried it in Pennsylvania nnd it was n
success. Then Washington adopted it
nnd notified every state administrator in
the Union that it was the one successful
way to reach the small, mean profiteer
who preyed on the poorer people.
Wherever a cone gocer or any
othc kind of a grocer of the smallc class
and they comprise 0." per cent of the
whole was caught profiteering he yjas
given the choice of closing for a cer
tain leneth of time or going out of busi
ness entirely, or makiiTg a contribution
to the Amcricau Bed Cross. He usual
ly made the contribution nnd often in
addition closed his store from thirty to
ninety days.
Wherever a corner grocer or an other
kind of a grocer of the smaller class
food administrator and accept his pen
alty there were two methods of reach
ing him. His case could be taken to
the United States Court. But that was
uncertain nnd slow. The most effective
method was to shut off his supplies.
His name wns placed upon the "unfair
list." Under the lnw no wholesaler or
licensed dealer could sell to a person or
firm on the "unfair list." If he did so
his license wns revoked and he wns
put out of business till the end of the
war. That meant ruin. i
Within n week or ten days the de
fiant grocer found that his stock was
going down nnd he could not replenish
it. Nobodv would sell to Mm. His,
liiisinosa una henilod for ruin. To stive i
himself he was compelled to ncknowl 1
edge the power of the food admlnistra-
ion nnd accept his penalty. .
Must Put "Teeth" in Law '
At the conference among Howard
Heinz. Attornej General Palmer nnd'
Messrs. Glasgow and Hepburn yester l
dav tho attorney general stated that
can lnugh and snap his fingers at such
a committee.
Imagine a member of such n com
mittee endeavoring to obtain informa
tion from u grocer or other merchant
suspected of profiteering! The com
mitteeman desires to know how much
flie grocer paid for com meal, starch,
prunes or any foodstult.
"It's none of your business whut 1
paid or where I bought It," replies the
dealer.
What can the committeeman do? He
hns not authority to compel nu an
swer. Investigators for the food ad
ministration during the war had the
power of the lnw with them. The
could compel an answer or the dealer
would suffer for his recalcitrancy.
bodies until the punitive lnw spoken
of by the attorney gencrnl is enncted
by Congress. When tills law is passed
then the committees can begin their
work nnd not until then.
And until this bill is passed the pub
lic will continue to suffer from high
prices nnd pnv exorbitant profits to
dealers in foodstuffs.
Skull Fractured, Man Hit by Auto
An automobile struck Carl Scherpz-
berg, thirty-two years old. of l57"i Mor-
gan street, this morning as ho was on-
The big cheese
What Is Hcmcdy?
What is the remedy for the existing
condition?
There is no remedy until Congress
passes some measure that will make
profiteering n crime. Such n bill, I
believe, is now pending in Congress.
The attorney general Informed Mr.
Heinz that he lioped the measure would (
pass in the course of the next week
or ten dns. This bill would give au- (
thority and power to nny price-fixing
committees Mr. 4Jeinz may appoint.
But I nin of the opinion that there
will he n bitter fight in Congress over
It. 1 hne not rend the mensure, but
I understand that it empowers tljo
President nlonc to fix prices or limit
profit taking.
Tnis is n Ucpublicnn Congress. There 1 1
is n feeling, doubtless, thnt it would i
be a dangerous thing to put in the hands I
of any one man the power of fixing
prices as demanded by this bill. If
this situation nrises it is impossible to '
predict whnt may happen. With no1
law tn curb them prices niny soar to
consumption of Delineator
families 20 tons daily is
terlng the plant of the New York Ship- I typical of tllC llUKC amount
building Company, in Camden, whore V . , u. . l
i) i iiruiicb uuugiii uy meat
'million prosperous house
holds. Arc you telling the
1 women "Purchasing Agents
of these homes about your
i product?
-!towI!JjAv,J
CHILDREN'S
WALL TENT
Erert a tent for
them In th front
or back yard, th
lr will Jo them
trood. Loll of fun. Heat quality Sounca
while canvas durk TnlM pins and ropes.
Tfrlto for cMnlor. on lirter elies an
rnmn anppllee
ARMY SUl'I'LV CO., 631 MAKKET
Strawbridge & Clothier's To-morrow
Eight Hundred Men's Suits Reduced
As nearly as we can estimate the number, we shall have about 800 Men's and Young
Men's Spring- and Autumn-weight Suits remaining to be disposed of at reduced prices,
and strongly advise buying to-morrow or Friday. Many of these Suits are marked at less
than we could buy them for to-day and we need scarcely repeat what every man knows,
that cost of manufacture will go higher before it goes lower.
Suits now $19.50, $24.50, $26.50 and $34.50
Light and dark fnbrics, light nnd medium weight, quarter-lined, hnlf-lincd nnd full-lined; two
and three-button coats, nil finely tailored, nil from reliable manufacturers, some of world-wide repu-tot'on-
REALLY EXTRAORDINARY VALUES at these reduced prices $19.50, $24.50, $26.50 and
534,00.
Blue Serge Suits at
$35.00, $40.00, $47.50
The good, practical, always
neat Serge Suit is in higher
favor than ever. This Store is
headquarters for Serge Suits
because the style, quality and
price is right.
Tropical Suits at
Lowered Prices
Cool Cloth or wool crash, now
$11.75 and $10.50. Mohair, reg
ular and stout, now $16.50. Palm
Beach Suits, neat grays, men's
and young men's models now
$13.50.
Separate Trousers
at Special Prices
This is an era of practical
economy for many men and an
extra pair of Trousers adds to
the life of the old suiU-$5.00,
WANTED
l jc Model Scries 3,
ot !..s4or (Series 5
Dual Valve Limousine)
Pierce-Arrow
Will pay Rood. reasonable
price for Immediate clollvt ry.
Slate ur lowest figure for
'nsh nnd Rip engine number
Aith description of car
l'rlBte Owner. Hox 9 J. Uoom
.10, 1493 llroda, Now York
Delineator
The Maqozine In
One1 Million Homzs
now
and
$7.50. SlO.OOTand S13.M.
ADVANCE SHIPMENTS OP MEN'S AND YOUNG MEN'S AUTUMN SUITS are coming in
'various models, some with the new all-around belt The Stein-BIoch, Hart, Schaffner & Marx
I the well-known "Alco" models are well represented. -- strawbridre t, clothier second Floor East
From Strayer's to Success
Anna Reldel. 8MS North
Marehall St from Hie llarard
Taylor School, took a iourw
at Htrarer'a niislneta rtlleae
and at IS la Axlatant t'mlit
Manager at Htauner'a at inou
than $1000 a year. Call, wrttr
or 'phone for particular
about what Strarer'e can do
for you. 807 Chestnut Street
Phone, Walnut 384;
flvery Engine M
a Treasure m' j
jso nnd wtoro should fWJ ,
WJI I
ihould
bo equipped with Its own
fire department I.os by
Are. would then rapidly
dwindle to nothing.
Klre Kxtlntulaners,
llerhararen and Hrflll
Liquid for all tjpes.
Send us your address
for a free copy of "8ue
geatlona for Fire I're
ention, Issued by the
National Hoard of Tiro
Underwriters Free In
spection by flre-flshtlng
experts
JAMKS M. CASTIX. Inc.
Lincoln Illdg-.. I'hlla.
filbert 451:: Race 3507
Open Saturday
1208 Chestnut St.
Chllrfa nilc Take Klevator. Sate K to (5
Don t Follow
Lead
Peggy's upstairs shop hns
made it possible for discrimi
nating women to wear smart
styles before they become com
monplace without the inflated
prices you have to pay for this
privilege elsewhere.
Nothing could be more ador
able than these brand-new, ex
clusive Georgette, Crepe de
Chine and Voile
Late Summer
Early Autumn
$5 to $10
BLOUSES
of
WSml
MersHats
VeloUrs. Derby and
softs Remodeled Into
latest styles and
trimmed equal to new."
Jefferson Hat Co., 135 S.10th St,
Q
H Jv n
inwcrr!siMiflsw
MMmm i
. i i ir,. ,.MllIUlUiiii1iliiiiimft
.rtiUfoJ.liiliilii,
at $3 and $5
For Example
The (irortette
IIIoukp an fckHch
d ohm mitrh of
'tn MnartnrAs to
the unusual em
broidery In allk
floji and j a t
liuglen It comes
In white, flesh
nnd navy blue
An 8 00 value at
WE'LL MAKE YOUR OLD
BRASS BED NEW
REA80NAI.I.Y. TOO!
K matter In what eondltJtM.
Ffesce a or drop as mrtl and w'l
MUD ft mmn to enniftM.
J. J. KEENAN & CO.
3101 Ludlow St. VvVm'ss."
HM
Pure Virgin Spanish
J Olive Oil
We sell any amount barrels, li
gation ciiBen, gallons, Jam, ',i gal
lons, quarts, pints and halt pints
The best oil on the market. Cream
OUa for medical use. Delivered
In tliort lime. Phone Walnut 1060.
The Spanish Products Co.
13th and Locust Sts., Phila.
P
SUNDAY
EXCURSIONS
Mr. Business Man
Do you with that you had some one
Iit look after your business for jnu. who
rould toko the aame Interest In It as
wou do? If so. I urn that some onet ?4
I ears old, married, qutek to learn, with
nine years' jrood. sound business exuerl
tnrr nnd an ambition to auereed.
Do You Need Me? '
3 129, Ledger Office
$2.50
War Tax 20c Additional
TO
NEW YORK
and return
EVERY SUNDAY IN AUGUST
Special train learea Reading Terminal
at 8:00 A. M.. atopplnr at Columbia
aienue, Huntingdon street. Wane Junc
tion, Logan nnd Jcnklntoun.
Keturnlne leaTen New York, Wrat 33d
St.. 7:50 I'. M.i Ubertr St.. 8 l M.
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
STEEL
FIRE-WALL
FILING CABINET!
Five exclusive features at no extra cost
l.
The layer of asbestos between
double steel walls which is built into
top, bottom, front, sides and back of
the "Y and E" Fire-Wall Cabinets.
UILT
Yawman and Frbe Vfg.0
1013 CHESTNUT STREET
Walnut 167 Telephone Race 1710
One Store or Representative in Every City
Makers of "Y and E" Filing Equipment and System Supplies.
EFFICIENCY DESKS
CARD SYSTEMS
WOOD FILING CABINETS
VERTICAL SYSTEM SUPPLIES
STEEL FILING CABINETS
RECORD FILING SAFES "
STEEL SHELVING
SFES, Etc
FURNITURE Under Price
in the August Sale
FOR THE LIVING-ROOM '
FOR THE DINING-ROOM
FOR THE BEDROOM
Only seven days more in which to select any Suit
or piece of Furniture in our ENTIRE STOCK at less
than the regular price !
Here's a good assortment of Furniture for every
room in the home especially of handsome Upholstered
Furniture for living-room and library and a carload of
Bedroom Furniture has just arrived. Summer Furniture,
now in demand all the year around, here in unequaled
variety, and a splendid collection of single pieces or Nov
elty Furniture.
The greatest August Sale in our history is nearing
its close. Hadn't you better come in to-morrow?
"""" fI'r?w.h,l'1F,' . Clothier Furniture Third Floor.
.utiM, jieumeaos anu lieauinir. Fourth Floor l;aat
y wSmmt .
The Automatic gaiety eateries, MKWBBBBBBBBSferiffMBSS&MSxIU I
which prevent the drawers from open- llBsllllWipBBIP
ing in a fire emergency or in office I wStSSlLSSSBn
re-arrangement. lljBWBipiMiiinM jjflBwferaffiM
-x iHDISrilill
J The "Y and E"Frictionless Slides JHHHBHBnBMMMp H
-which give the drawers an easy glid- HrHH TTTjjIlll 1 HHB
ing movement. h) IfiiiiHI llllllffis sH
iTib BsH Sm
m 4Mw IsssiHHslHSsHHsiH 9!SotoHH '
E9 MSBSSSBB!!BTTvliBiB
A MBH8I lwfcilBHHtw! I
" Drawers strike all around like IHBroJwi WlJWrMfnHlfffflwBB '
a safe door. Protects against dust, iBljfeia!aMSmlPB ' '
water, flame and heat. mWSmSSSmM IPaBIB I
M MmJvwm aAN lllltaHMLHsHsssEallsS IsslRHsil
5 The "Y and E" Filing System HI !
which enables you to keep your re- mm HI
cords with greatest convenience and H"
at lowest cost System service with- ,
out charge.
mjF A At It will pay you to write or 'phone tor our
B Bvfi new booklets "Steel Cabinets that Pro- f
m. tCE 01 f tect" and "Vertical Filing Down-to-date. T
4000 "Y and E" Products
I
!
Women's Summer Dresses
At Great Price Reductions
Cotton Frocks, including many of the most popular models which
were reordered up until late in the season. Chiefly short lines and
odd lots, but many of them, affording an excellent variety. See these
to-morrow :
Dresses, now $12.50 Dresses, now $19.75
I ine ginghams, in small checks
and large plaids. Dark figured
voiles, and white cross-barred and
dotTcd voilc3. Also a few striped
and checked tissues. Not all
sizes and colors in each style, but
every Dress worth nearly double.
Dresses, now $16.50
Our entire stock of Organdie
Frocks, in pastel shf'cs and
white, and in distinctive styles
some worth" a little less than
double, others worth much more
than double. Also in this group a
few very fine Tailored Linen
Frocks.
Among the Dainty
Cotton Waists
Organdie Blouses at $3.85
The model
sketched with
its dainty
tucks, Irish
crochet edging
and tailored
black bow, is
one of them.
Another semi
tailored model,
has a crisp
little frilling
down the front
and is finished
with turn-back
cuffs and roll
collar. Also at
this price are White Voile Waists,
trimmed with beautiful laces and
embroideries.
At $3.00 and $3.50 Ba
tistes, voiles and striped dimities,
in semi-tailored styles or trim
med with Valenciennes laso and
panels of embroidery.
At $2.00 and $2.25 Voile
Waists, including a simple tucked
model with lace-edged organdie
collar; others elaborately trim
med, some in collarless and slip
on styles.
Waists at $1.50 Of white
batiste and voile, semi-tailored or
elaborately trimmed; some with
colored collar and cuffs.
, Strawnrldp A. Clothier
Second Floor. Centre
mi jjTrK
An assortment of models from
high-class makers, including
Frocks of fine tissue, lovely, dain
ty voiles and the cool, crisp organ
dies that are so party-like.
"-- StrawIirliTKr
Dresses, now $8.75
Medium and dark colored voiles.
Several different models in the
group, some with vestces, others
in me popular round-neck style.
irliVn Jt I'lniVil.. U-.i in .T. ......
HHIIiri a-iI-KHItl J JIIIIT. I (Til ff
Men's Panama Hats
Reduced to $2.95 '
All were much more some
more than do"uble this price. Some
nre slightly soiled, however.
All Straws Reduced
Choose the best in our stock
to-morrow at $1.95.
sti.inbrldsre A. Olfithler
Sntond Flour. Market Street, East
30c
Close-out Lot of Women's!
Silk and Fabric GLOVES I
Broken lines, some Gloves slightly mussed, not all size1! in
every color, but all sizes in the lot. All of them Two-clasp Gloves,
ai tcuuuivua vj. uiuiv man uuc-ijiira 10 more man two-tnirds.
oimnuiHiiT & i-.oimtr- Aisle l." .Marktt Street
Boys' Blouse Waists
Special at $1.00
A special purchase of Blouse
Waists of fancy striped madras
of excellent quality, and in good
serviceable color effects. Made
with toft attached collar.
Mrau bridge A Clothier
Second Floor, East
Women's Belted
Linene Coats
Special at $2.75
A good, practical, full model
with roomy sleeves, all-around
belt, and large collar that can be
worn closed up well around the
throat special at ?2.75.
Capes Reduced
Clearance lots from ' c regu
lar stock. Chiefly in iack and
blue; one model of wo( velour in
light shades. Now $lo.50. Others
from $10.00 to $20.00 all former
ly much higher-priced.
StnubrldKe it Clothier
becond Floor. Centre
House Dresses
Excellent Values
Special at $1.85 Women's
Blue Chambray House Dresses.
Very good-looking with their trim,
straight lines, plaited from a
yoke; with while collar and cuffs.
Special at $2.95 Charming
House and Morning Frocks, of
voile or tissue gingham. Some
with white collar, others with
square neck embroidery-trimmed.
ALL MUCH REDUCED.
MrawhrldKo A Clothier
Third Door. Filbert Street Weil
iKl&K
SPECIALW
A Special Lot of
Women's Fine Lisle
Stockings at 50(J
Drop-stitch, Mercerized Lisle
Stockings, with seamed back,
in black, white and African
brown, and in sizes 8V4 to 10.
These Stockings could "not be
made to-day to sell at this
price. Straw brldxe i Clothier
Market Street Cross Alsla
Women's Messaline
Silk Petticoats
At $5.50 White Messaline
Petticoats, lined front and back.
One of the well-liked straight
line styles, finished with hem
stitched or scalloped edge.
Lengths 36 to 40 inches.
Navy Blue Silk Petticoats, of
I messaline, finished with Van Dyke
plaiting at the loot. Lengths U-i
to 38 inches.
At $8.95 Fine Messaline Silk
Petticoats in black or lovely
changeable shades. With three
I inch plaiting edging the shirred
i flounce. Strawbridge Clothier
Third Floor, West
Golden Special To-morrow
Axminster
RUGS
27x54 Inches
Now $3.60
36x63 Inches
Now $4.75
Under the illuminated Golden Special sign to-morrow will
be several hundred Axminster Rugs, of excellent quality, in the
two most useful small sizes, at much below the regular prices. A
good assortment of Oriental designs, also neat allovcr designs. A
very unusuui upiJuri.u!iii.y tor buying muni:.
It-e- MtHHnniitP & i luinier itiunn MOOl WeBt I
- '
Boys' Serviceable Suits
at Clearance Prices
Suits that meet the requirements of sturdy boys. Lots contain
only one or two of a kind the Suits that have sold well all through
the season. Medium or dark, for school r dress wear now and
through the autumn. A SUBSTANTIAL SAVING ON EVERY
SUIT:
Boys' Fine Cheviot Suits, special at $15.75
Of mixed cheviot, several smart models, with full-lined knicker
bockers. Sizes 8 to 17 years.
Cheviot Suits, worth one-third more than $10.50
Of serviceable mixed cheviot. Sizes 7 to 17 years.
Cheviot Suits, 7 to 17 years, special at $9.50
Cheviot Suits, lined knickerbockers, now $6.75
Wash Suits, sizes 3 to 6, special at $1.45 and $2.35
Boys' Separate Knickerbockers at Special Prices
Of mixed cheviot $235. Of heavy khaki $1.40, $1.85.
Knickerbocker a of cotton cheviot or khaki special, $1JS.
,i.v Strawbridge & Clothier Second Floor. Filbert Street, East
High Shoes Under Price
Our summer clearance with new lots added continues, to the
great satisfaction of our customers who know that Shoes like thesj
cannot be bought regularly at such lew prices. These are nearly
all from our stock of last season, and include a great variety of
styles for MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN. All greatly reduced.
!- Strawbridge ft Clothier EUhth and Filbert Streets
Strawbridge & Clothier
MARKET STREET
EIGHTH STREET
FILBERT STREET
t
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