Meanwhile, he added. the move. ments of the market are being carefully followed and the situation has already improved since the committee began its work. Rice prices, he added, had eased somewhat during the past few days, a decline of about $1.50 per picul having been noted.
"We are doing everything in our power to fix maximum prices in the shortest possible time, but the realization of such a project with such tremendous obstacles takes some time it the job is to be done efficiently", M. Auge concluded.
As will be recalled, the French Consular Ordinance, is directed against manipulators and speculators in vital necessaries and the committee is entitled to inspect books, documents and all other evidence in the possession of merchants so as to fix maximum prices which, while allowing for a reasonable margin of profit for the owners, will ease the difficulties now faced by the populace as a result of ihe exorbitant prices of foodstuffs and other goods. Offenders are liable to fines up to $1000 and under certain conditions, the committee may confiscate cargoes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.