| Show Price Stabilization Of Basic Materials Aim of N with the stabilization of prices for basic materials C CHARGED ill such fashion as to establish a firm foundation fou on which the consumer can can base his future purchases and the producer can form necessary production costs the industrial board of tIle the department of commerce has been created by William Villiam C. C Redfield secretary II of commerce under approval of President Wilson This information tion is contained in in a letter to Arch M. M Thurman secretary of the I state council of defense from Grosvenor B B. B Clarkson director of I I the council of national defense I Through proper Investigation and stabilization It Is expected that the foundation can be laid for the resumption resumption tion ot of American business and for the furnishing ot of employment to returning return return- I ing soldiers and this sailors through government purchases the publication publication tion of fair price lists and cooperation of the producer Mr Clarkson explains To obtain this cooperation of the producer producer pro pro- ducer It is planned that the board shan shall call the various leaders of Industry Into consultation The first of these conferences conferences con con- will be with representatives of Industries producing basic materials such as iron steel lumber textiles cement ce- ce ment copper brick and other construction construction tion materials EXCHANGE OF VIEWS The rhe board will endeavor to exchange views with these representatives of Industry Industry In- In in the fullest manner possible I with the view to reaching agreements among the he Important basic Industries upon the proper prices and bases for prices at which sales will be made The government does docs not propose to embark on any price fixing voyage and none will be under compulsion to adhere to the schedules evolved at the conferences if he is able to find a markel mar mar- ke kel for his wares at higher prIces or orto to buy below these prices Secretary I Redfield states Secretary proposal Is to brIng capital labor and I Ithe the government together to do the I best possible tor or the country RENEW RENEWAL L OF WORK VITAL I The vital need ot of the present situa- situa tion Is the resumption of industrial activity activity ac- ac to the fullest extent possible and It should be the aim to find the wisest and effective way to accomplish this Mr 1 Clarkson declares It Is felt that the proper basis of selling prices for the present will be found to tobe tobe be upon a scale considerably higher than those of the prewar days However however How How- ever the level should be established on the lowest plane possible having due regard to Industry labor and gov- gov The announcement of sut SUl 1 plane ot of prices Immediately will create create cre- cre ate confidence In the buying public It is believed that the reductions from the high prices to the proper level so that consumers may be justified justified jus- jus In buyIng should be made at once by one reduction The effort should be wholly to eliminate the abnormal abnormal ab- ab normal unbalanced stimulation that business has had and the Inflated prices that have resulted and to start anew upon a normal level that can safely upon the law of supply and demand to govern future values Such policy adopted and announced announced an- an when understood by the consumer consumer con con- sumer will Induce at once sufficient buying to start factories fill empty stores and warerooms and to Inaugurate inaugurate rate the interrupted building building- and other programs Industry and labor have a mutual Interest in remedying present conditions but Industry should take the first step sep by the reduction of and commodities and should require of labor as little aid as possible |
