532 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF^ AGRICULTURE 



little doubt but tbat many groundless complaints will be made, it is 

 obvious that some method must be adopted which will enable the board 

 to eliminate those which have no merit, otherwise, the board will be 

 buried under a mass of complaints of every kind and description — a con- 

 dition which would render such a board impractical, if, indeed, it could 

 function at all. Since the inspector would be given no power to render 

 decisions but would simply be called upon to state what complaints were 

 in, his judgment, unfonnded, it appears to me that there would be no 

 grave danger that the intention for which the board was created would 

 be frustrated by any abuse of power. Provision could be made to 

 eliminate the entering in of the personal equation as far as the inspector 

 was concerned if it is deemed wise. 



Where the inspector found a complaint which he believed worthy 

 of investigation, he could report that fact, with all the data which he had 

 secured, to the board. By meeting at definite intervals these complaints 

 could be taken up by the board, and a decision rendei'ed. Needless to 

 say, the appointment of a Fair Price Committee, would be useless if 

 legislation was not enacted, giving it power to enforce its rulings. With 

 such legislation, however, the board could not only determine what a fair 

 price would be, in taking up complaints, but it could also set that price 

 definitely upon the commodity in question and perhaps even force the 

 seller to make reparation for any overcharges. 



* 



I will not at this time make any lengthy explanation for my suggestions 

 as to the personnel of this board as I believe the reasons must be ap- 

 parent. Suffice it to say, I feel that this department is in a position to 

 be fairly well informed regarding commodities entering into ordinary 

 commerce and for this reason should be represented. Since legal questions 

 are almost certain to vex the board constantly, it will be wise perhaps 

 to have someone familiar with State and Federal laws also serving on 

 the board. The advisability of having a producing, buying, and selling 

 public represented is obvious. 



I am keenly aware that the proposal to establish a board of this kind 

 may meet with considerable opposition on the part of the merchants of 

 the state. Nor am I less aware of the difficulties which will confront 

 such a board in its attempt to function intelligently. 



Regarding the first objection, I believe that merchants will take a 

 sensible view of the matter and not only cease to oppose the establishing 

 of a Fair Price Committee, but will even advocate it when their attention 

 is called to the fact that legislators are constantly receiving complaints 

 (many of them without foundation) of high living costs and pleas for the 

 enactment of legislation which "will put a stop to profiteering," and 

 that unless some such measure as here advocated is adopted, they may 

 face a large amount of radical legislation. I believe further, that the 

 appointment of men whose honesty, intelligence and ability are un- 

 questioned, will give any honest merchant little cause to fear, for men 

 of this type will recognize every seller's right to a fair profit, as well 

 as every buyer's right to be protected. 



While not entirely relevant, 1 would like, at this time, to call attention 

 to the glowing opportunity offered to debtors by the present abundance 



