Pièce JM-AIY/OttomanRegisters/Vol13/p22a/item111 - Upon a petition relegated to the municipality, regarding the rise of the prices of flour, wheat and coal, 14 October 1908 (Gregorian date) - 1 Tishrîn Awwal 1324 (Ottoman fiscal calendar (Rumi)

1 item

Upon the petition dated 14 October 1908, presented by some people and relegated to the municipality, regarding the rise of the price of flour, wheat and coal
This petition has been examined from its beginning to its end; at the time of negotiating this issue, there is no rule concerning the pricing of food and crops other than bread, as specified in the Prime Ministry’s decree dated 16 August 18881 and numbered 13. As it would not be lawful to set a fixed price by the local municipal offices, the letter sent by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture regarding the prevention of this matter was relegated to the Council of State, and even though the pricing procedure was formerly in force, it has been abolished due to the experienced inconveniences and damages. The 3. Article of the Provincial Municipal Law states that due attention be shown to make sure that there is a reciprocity between the weight of the bread and its price, that the bread is well-baked and clean, that its flour is not rotten and that the sale of unhealthy food is forbidden. Since there is no clarity as to setting a fixed price for stuff, it has been declared that, as pricing of provisions etc. other than bread by provincial municipalities is against the law, municipalities henceforth not set a fixed price for provisions etc. other than bread. Nevertheless, since it would not be lawful to allow some profiteers to cause as loss for the people, a negotiation has been made to ensure that due care and attention be shown to implement the law specified as regards profiteers and it has been stated it is appropriate to take due action in respect thereof. Hence, as stated in this petition, if an agreement occurs among merchants concerning the price of wheat, it would amount to a profiteering by the merchants. Besides, even though each batman of flour is sold at a rate of 5 piasters in the season when wheat is harvested, its price would arise further in winter days; so it has been considered that the proper cause would be to obviate this agreement by the merchants. For negotiation and announcement of due actions to be taken in respect thereof, it is thus appropriate to relegate the matter to the Sanjak Administrative Council. The 1st of Tishrîn Awwal (1)324 (14th of October 1908).
[4 signatures]

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