OCR Text |
Show PROMISE OF PROTECTION COMES TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. It is announced at tho request of the food administration ad-ministration the federal trade commission will investigate tho alleged dishonest methods of food dealers who order perishables from a distance, dis-tance, and, if the price goes down before the arrival ar-rival of tho goods, reject the goods as inferior in quality, thus forcing tho seller to take n reduced price or litigate. If there is any foundation for the common reports among farmers, dishonest practices of this kind have been going on for the last quarter of a century and perhaps longer. The direct result of such practices is to deprive tho producer of his legitimate return for his crops, thus discouraging production in the future and limiting him in farm operations by denying him capital with which to finance his business. The "back to the farm" movement has had no grcntcr impediment -than the general understanding under-standing that in ono way or another tho former is deprived of the proper roward for his labors. Tho federol trade commission has broad powers. pow-ers. It has plenty of money. Victor Murdock, who hns been assigned to the investigation of this particular evil, declares that ho will devote his entire time to tho job if necessary "and put some of these war leeches behind tho bars." That If the right kind of talk. It is pretty much the same kind of talk wo havo had from a multitude of other boards and commissions that tell what they aro going to do, thereby getting many columns col-umns of publicity and an unearned reputation for efficiency. Murdock hns expressly made this job his own, "acting for tho wholo commission." Judging by the vigor of his Innguagc in announcing announc-ing his plans, ono might reasonably conclude thnt he is determined to "deliver tho goods" or resign his office. He occupied half a page in the "Official "Offi-cial Bulletin" telling what he is going to do to the dishonest privateers who rob the farmers. There is no doubt whatever that the Bulletin will be willing to devoto a half page to the publication of the names of the men he convicts nnd tho penalties pen-alties imposed. Meanwhile, the farmers of tho country will wait impatiently to sco whether thnt list includes tho names of nny of the food buyers with whom they have hnd unsatisfactory experience in the past. They will not be interested in, excuses or explanations they will want fulfillment of the promise to put the dishonest profiteers behind tho bars. |