Germany

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 58, 6 November 1915, Page 3

Germany

SOCIALISTS’ PROTEST. FOOD EXPLOITERS DENOUNCED. “VORWAER7S” MANIFESTO. The Executive Committee of the Socialist Party and of the Federation of Socialist Labor Unions have united in a protest to the Minister 01, the Interior against any advance in the maximum prices of grain and flour. It has been intimated that there will ha an increase when the Federal Council adopts the new regulations lor the conservation and the distribution ol the year’s harvest. Ihe Executive Committee of the federation publishes in “Vorwaerts” a manifesto “againstj food harpies.” The manifesto follows: “The general rise of prices is pressing even heavier on the poor [classes. The prices of meat have risen about 100 per cent, under the ruthlless exploitation of the situation caused by the scarcity of swine and cattle, and the rise continues. The consumption of this so important food element has become thereby almost an impossibility over a wide circle, particularly among the laboring classes. “All other roods, particularly those recommended as substitutes lot meat, such as vegetables, fish, eggs, milk, butter, cheese and sugar, are unusually dear, and are steadily becoming most expensive. Speculation of the most unprecedented sort :s ; gain m evidence in the potato market. Potatoes, stored for a month ior pi ice manipulation, had to Lg unloaded in the spring and sold at low prices to coalers, who in turn are selling at profits of from 200 to 300 per cent. “It is now announced that the federal Council is about to increase the maximum prices of grain, a Inch already are from 30 to 40 per cent higher than in times < f peace. Bread, the all-important food, is to cost the people more. This will arouse indignation in a wide area.

“In the name of the working classes, upon which the war already has imposed great sacrifices, we protest against any increase of the maximum prices. We demand instead a thorough regulation of price fixing in the piomsioii markets and effective protection for the people against food harpies. We demand that without regard to the profit of producers and dealers, moderate maximum prices for food should be fixed on a basis that assures adequate alimentation of the people and excludes all enrichment at tlm expense of the people’s food supply. The storing up of supplies in order to manipulate prices must be prevented by expropriation and compulsory sale. “We urge party comrades throughout Germany to light the food harpies by every means in their power. Representatives of Labor in the Legislatures must above all exert every influence to assure a supply of food to the people at non-exorbitant prices.