Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-02
SENATE TO PROBE
Committee to Investigate
Food Prices and Wages.
RESOLUTION Is OFFERED
introduced by Mr.. Lodge in Behalf
Of Finance Committee.
ALMOST CERTAIN TO PASS
Provides for Select Committee of
RESOLUTION is OFFERED
ALMOST CERTAIN TO PASS
Provides for Select Committee of
Five With Full Powers to Summon
Witnesses and Experts.

Two Independent Investigations into the
higher cost of living will be conducted by
committees of the Senate and House.
The first step toward the proposed in
quiry in the Senate was taken today
when Senator Lodge presented reso-
luton providing for it. The resolution
was introduced at the instance of the
finance committee. which fact insures its
adoption. 1t provides for d committee of
five.
The inquiry will include an investiga-
ton into the cost of the necessaries of
life, with an especial view to determining
whether there has been an increase dur
ing the past ten years. 1t is also di-
rected that it shall cover the question of
wages, with a view to ascertaining
whether there has been an increase in
them.
The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on finance, which will report 1t
back promptly. The House inquiry will
be conducted by the important ways and
means committee.
The Senate committee action is general
ly interpreted to mean that the Senate
leaders hope. by the investigation, to
show that the recent tariff bill passed by
Congress has not caused high prices of
the necessaries of life.
Text of Resolution.
The resolution calls for an investigation
of the high cost of living by select
committee of five senators to be appoint
ed by the Vice President, and reads as
follows:
Resolved, That there shall be appoint
ed by the President of the Senate a select
committee of five senators to investigate
the cost of living and the prices of the
necesSarieS of life, to ascertain SO far as
possible whether such prices have tn
creased during the past ten years and
the cause or causes of such increase.
Said committee shall also investigate
the subject of wages and ascertain
whether wages have increased during the
same period.
said committee shall also investigate
the cost of production of said articles and
of their distribution and sale. and shall
report to Congress the results Of their
investigation, together with any recon-
mendatfons, and with a bill or bills, If, in
the Judgment of the committee, legislation
is necessary in regard to the subject OF
the investigation.
Said committee or any subcommittee
thereof is authorized to employ experts,
administer oaths. take testimony, send for
persons and papers, employ stenog-
rapher to report hearings and have such
hearings printed. And all necessary ex-
penses to carry out the provisions OF this
resolution shall be paid from the contin-
gent fund of the Senate"
Senator Lodge asked, after the resolu-
ton had been read to the Senate, that It
|be referred to the committee on finance,
and that course was adopted.
Special Meeting Probable.
Later it became known that the reso-
luton had been discussed during the
meeting of the committee this morning.
,, and Senator Lodge stated that a special
meeting of the committee would likely
be held within day or so to act on
the resolution. From the attitude of the
committee today 1t is expected to be re-
ported favorably, and there is little doubt
that 1t will pass the Senate promptly.
The introduction of the resolution by
Senator Lodge today follows closely his
speech made In the Senate few days
ago. in which he presented MANY sta
tistics and figures to indicate that the
tariff is not to blame for the present high
prices of food and clothing in the United
States. If they are higher than they
should be.