PROFITEERING IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 278, 20 August 1919, Page 7

PROFITEERING IN AMERICA

BILL TO DECLARE IT A CRIME,

Alleged profiteering in the nocessarica of life, complaints of which aro widespread throughout the United States, and investigations into which are being inaugurated at many points, is receiving official recognition in Massachusetts through recommendations made by tlio State Governor, and action taken by the Senate Committeo on legal affairs, in giving endorsement to a measure which would make profiteering a gaol 'offence. Incidentally, the Boston City Council has taken recognisance of tho situation through an order which requested tho Major to confer with the Governor with relation to legislation. The Bill approved by the Senato Committee says that "maintaining or increasip# unreasonably tho price of any neces. sity of life is hereby declared to bo u crime. Whoever, in combination or association with another, oi'^others, enters into any agreement or understanding to maintain or increase or cause to be maintained or increased unreasonably the price of any necessary of life, shall ho deemed guilty of conspiraoy, and upon conviction shall bo punished by imprisonment in the house of correction term of not more than two years, or by a fine of not more than lOOOdol. (£200), or by both fine and imprfeoiuiient,"