The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02
Ways and Means Com
mittee to Make Rigid
Investigation.
PA YNE AND CLARK
UNITE ON MEASURE
Bill Introduced in House by Ma.
jority Leader - Committee
May Sit Anywhere and
Summons and Swear Wit
ncsses-Sessions Will
Be Public.

Washington, February 1.-The cost
of living in the United States is to
be thoroughly inquired into by the
House OF Representatives through it's
most powerful committee-the Ways
and Means Committee Late to-day
| Representative Payne, OF New York.
chairman of that committee. and ma
jorlty leader in the House. introduced
his resolution providing for an invcs-
| tigation along the broadest lines.
Prior to introducing his measure,
Mr. Paync conferred with Representa-
tive Champ Clark. the minority leader,
| who had been designated with him by
| tha committee to draft tho instrument
authorizing the investigation The
| committee Is to inquire into any all
! legged increase in the cost of the
necessaries of life, some of which,
such as clothing, fuel, furniture. meats
| and foodstuffs, arc enumerated. Whole
sale and retail prices and rates of
| profit arc to be investigated. The
question of whether the tariff is re-
| sponsible for tho alleged high cost
OF living is covered in a general pro-
vision as to whether prices are af-
fccted. increased or otherwise by any
laws of the United States"
The hearings of the committee will
be open to the public. It may 81,
anywhere in the United States, and
summons and swear witnesses.
Tho resolution which will be re-
ferred to tho Ways and Means Com
mittee, and doubtless reported back fol-
passage. follows:
.sResolyed, That the Committee or
Ways and Means is hereby empowered
and directed 10 make a thorough ant
complete Investigation into the cos.
4 of living in the United States. and any
alleged increase thereof, and the cos
! of the nccessaries of life. including
clothing, fuel furniture, meats. bread
stuffs and provisions generally, ant
, implements, the cost of production
wholesale and retail prices thereof
and the rate of profit TO those wht
sell and distribute the same, and th'
causes of such increased cost ant
prices. and whether. and in what man
|, ner such cost and prices arc af-
fecccd. increased or otherwise, by any
laws of the United States, and L
investigate. recommend and repor
such legislation as will. in its juds
ment. contribute to restore such pricf:
to their normal level: that said com
mittee is further authorized to inves
tigate and report during the SAM
period the cost of living, and of tn
necessaries of life as aforesaid in for
eign countries, and if such cost ma
>, increased, the cause thereof.
said committee and any subcon'
mittee thereof shall have the power
sit in washington or elsewhere In til
United States during the sessions Q
tho House or otherwise, to subpoen
t and examine witnesses under oath, t
!, administer oaths to witnesses, to en-
, ploy experts and such other assistance
, including counsel, as 1t shall deeI
necessary and to send for record
papers and all other evidence tha
may be necessary to make the invest
. CATION full and complete.
Z "All the costs and expenses OF sue
! Investigation, including all necessar
: printing. shall be paid from the col
: tingent fund of the House of Repre-
a sentatives.
. The hearings OF the committee sha
: he open to the public, and the con
o Continued on Second Page)