Middletown transcript., 1910-02-05
PROBE INTO FOOD Prices
Provides for Select Body With Power to
SummOn Witnesses and Experts

A4ONA0SS h@h A@@A%&e A@g8J WIN hWWGA ~
Summon Witnesses and Experts
wAsH1Naror, D. c. February 2d.-Two
Independent Investigations nsinto the higher
cost Of living viii be conducted by COM
mittees Of the Senate and House.
The 6rst step toward the proposed in
qniry in the Senate was taken to day
when providing for it. The resolution
was introduced at the instance Of the
finance committee, which fact insures it's
adoption. 1t provides for committee Of
five.
The inquiry will inclnde an investiga.
ton into tile cost Of She necessaries OF
life, with an especial view to determining
whether there has been an increase during
the past ten years. Il is also directed
that it shAll cover the question of wages,
with q view to ascertain whether there
has been an increase in them.
The resolution was referred TO the COM
mittee on finance, which will report it
back promptly. The House inquiry will
be conducted by the important ways and
means committee.
The Senate committee action is gener.
ally interpreted to mean that the Senate
leaders hope, by the Investigation, to
show that the recent tariff bill passed by
Congress has not cansed high prices OF the
necessaries Of life.
The resolution calls for an investigation
Of the high cost Of living by . select COM
mittee Of Eve senators TO be appointed by
the vice.Preeident and reads as follows:
Resolved, That there shall be ap-
pointed by the President OF the Senate a
select committee Of FIVE senators to inves-
tigate the cost of living and the prices Of
che necessaries Of life, 90 ascertain go far
as possible whether such prices have in
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, shall report
to Congress the results Of their inyeetiga-
ton, together with any recommendations
and with bills, If, in the judgment Of the
committee, legislation is necessary in re-
gard 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 stenogra.
pher to report hearings and have such
hearing printed. And all necessary ex.
penses to carry ont the provisions Of this
resolution shall be paid from the contin.
gent fund of the Senats.''
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.
Later it became known that the resolu--
tion had been discussed during the meet
ing Of the committee this morning. and
Senator Lodge stated that special meet
ing Of the committee would likely be held
within day or 60 to act on the resolution.
From the attitude ofthe committee to-day
it is expected to be reported faVorably,
and there is little doubt that it will pass
the Senate promptly.
/ The introduction of the resolution by
Senator Lodge to-day follows closely his
speech made in ths Senate q few days ago,
in which be presented many statistics and
figures to indicate that she tariff is not TO
blame for the present high prices of food
and clothing ID the United States, if they
are higher than they should be.