Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-02-09
Senate Committee Perfects Resolution
that Combines All Suggestions
Submitted.
BEARS NAME OF MIR. ELKINS
Select Committee is to Conduct the
Investigation.
ALONG COMPREHENSIVE LINES
ALI Factors that Influence Price
Making to Be Considered.
WAGES AND GOLD PRODUCTION
Committee 70 See IL Pay for work
Has Advanced in Proportion to
Cost of LivinR-Increase of
Volume of Money.
ALONG COMPREHENSIVE LINES
AND GOLD PRODUCTION

WASHINGTON. Feb. S.-Harmonizing the
several resolutions introduced in the sem
ate directing an investigation into the cost
of living, the republican leaders in con-
ference today perfected a resolution on
that subject, which was later presented
to the senate by Mr.. McCumber OF North
Dakota. 1t was referred to the committee
on contingent expenses, which will con-
sider the question in conducting such an
inquiry.
The resolution bears the name OF SEN
ator Ellxins as author and embodies the
principle features of the Mccumber reso-
luticn, as well as some Of those contained
in the one introduced by Mr.. odge.
The inquiry is to be conducted by a
select committee of seven senator's and
it is planned to assemble all of the matter
bearing on the increased cost of articles
of food since 1890, and report. II possible.
at tn present SESSION Of congress.
Scope of Inquiry.
In making the investigation It is pro-
vided that special attention shall be given
to the following subjects:
Wages, salaries and earnings and whether
the increase in them has kept pace with the
increase in the cost OF living
Increased prices of such articles as meat
grain provisions, cotton, WOOL clothing,
rents. lumber coal, iron, oil, brick and
cement
Price to the producer the wholesaler or
jobber the retailer and the consumer at
which articles included in the investi-
cation were distributed ard sold in the
year 1900 and the price for their disposition
at the present time.
Money and Prices.
Whether such articles have been in
creased in price by reason Of the increased
production OF gold throughout the world
and the expansion of currency in the United
States or by tariff or other legislation of
congress, or by any monopoly, combination
or conspiracy to control and regulate or
restrain interest or foreign commerce in
the supply, distribution or sale of such
articles.
The price of food products on the farm
in various parts of the United States.
Wholesale prices OF such food products
at the wholesale trade centers of the
United States.
Retail prices of such food products in
the larger cities of the United States and
also a comparative statement showing the
cost of production on the farm.
The committee is ordered to report to
the senate suggestions or recommenda-
tions as TO the remedy to be applied to re-
duce the cost of living and accompany it's
report with drafts of bills for such legis-
lation as WILL in the opinion OF the COM
mlttee, correct and remedy the causes
which have enhanced the prices of the nee
essaries of life.
Resolutions Reported fSavOrabIy.
An hour after Mr.. McCumber had pre-
sented the resolution from the finance
committee and 1t had been referred to the
committee on contingent expenses. Mr..
Kean, chairman fthe latter committee,
reported the measure back with a rec
ommendation that 1t be adopted.
Mr.. Stone made objection to present
consideration OF tn eresolution and it went
| over until tomorrow.
Mr. Crawford said that the important
! point was to ascertain whether there had
| been an increase in wages. No one doubted
he said, that there had been a general In
crease in prices of food and of other neces-
saries of life. The question was whether
there had been corresponding increase OF
/ wages