Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-31
GROCERS' COMBINE
AND FOOD PRICES
Startling Testimony Brought
Out of Its Effect in the
District.
SAY COOPERATIVE GUILD
WAS FORCED TO SUSPEND
Boycotted Through Local Retailers,
Late Officers Declare.
NEW COMMITTEE TO ACT
Ways and Means Members to Take
UP General Food Situation in a
Sweeping Investigation-Sub
committee at Work.
Boycotted Through Local Retailers,
Late Officers Declare.
NEW COMMITTEE TO ACT

There were congressional developments
of the greatest Importance today in con-
nection with the present all-absorbing
question of the high and increasing cost
of living
One of the developments is of nation
wide Importance, being the unanimous
decision by the biggest committee of the
House Of Representatives-ways and
means-to undertake the most compre-
hensive investigation of high prices yet
contemplated by Congress
The other development consisted of
testimony before the Moore special COM
mittee, which is investigating high prices
locally, that there is a combination of
retail grocers in the District of Column
bia of which bakers, butter merchants,
commission men, wholesalers and one at
least of the greatest food manufacturing
concerns of the country stand absolutely
In fear
The action of the ways and means COM
nlittee today on this proposition was un-
expected But after general discussion
of the subject by members of the COM
mittec il was unanimously decided that
something must be done. and done at
once SO. on Inotion Of Representative
Boutell of Illinois, chairman Serene F..
Payne of New York and minority leader
of thfs seonnfnittee. were appointed sub
committee to work out the details of the
proposed general investigation.
They are under instructions to lose no
time. but to report back a definite plan
at the next meeting Of the committee. The
investigation will be conducted by the
whole committee or possibly by a large
subcommittee named by Chairman Payne
for the purpose.
Gigantic Task.
Mr.. Bouten pointed out in presenting his
motion that there have been introduced a
number of resolutions calling for such an
investigation as he proposes, and suggest
ed that the best feature OF all Of these
resolutions should be incorporated in the
one yet to be introduced, under which
the ways and means committee will
Iertake what is admitted to be a gigantic
talk.
Boutell said he thought the inquiries
should include the price of imported arti
cles. their factory cost abroad. their cost
upon arrival here and the cost of the
various processes of handling before the
articles reach the ultimate consumer.
The powers to be given this investigat-
ing committee, the exact scope of its in
yestisation and the length of time the big
job will take yet remain to be deter
mined.
The facts brought out at today's ses-
sion of the Moore special committee are
of vital interest and Importance locally.
All the testimony at today'S hearing
tended to show that the retail grocers
of the District have a most effective or
ganiZation
The facts along this line were ELECTED
this morning by members of the COM
inittee during the examination of Amos
Tyree. secretary. and DIR. NJ. J. Holmes
assistant secretary of the defunct De-
partn. .utal to-operative Guild, incorpO-
rated under the laws of Delaware for the
purpose of purchasing the necessities of
life at wholesale and retailing them to
employees of the government in Washing
ton at an average rate" the profits on
sales TO he distributed pro rata every
Jour months TO stockholders of the guild,
all of them government clerks.
Boycott of Wholesalers.
The guild, it was testified today by
AIessrs. TyTee and Holmes, went into the
hands of a receiver as result of num-
Der of contributory causes, chief among
which was boycott by the wholesalers
of the District forced by the retail
srocers.
The members of the committee opened
their eyes this morning when they heard
how one of the big bakers after another
hv hp faI
with loss of trade. refused to deliver
bread to the guild, and finally even re-
fused TO sell bread to employees OF the
guild over the counter"
The head men of some Of these concerns
pleaded with the guild, SO DIR. HoI mes
testified today. that the guild not irisist
on buying bread from them. il ould
mean ruin TO them tthe bakerS if they
persisted in running contrary to the
wishes of the retail grocers. One of them
told the guild. it was testified, that his
twc-thirds because he had sold to the
guild and that ii he didn't stop he would
he put out of business.
Same With Butter.
1t was the same way. too, Holmes and
Tyree said, with butter and other things
The Van Camp Packing Company's rep
resentative In Washington Cancelled an
order given By the guild when ordered to
do 50 by the Retail Grocers Association
Uf II. District OF Columbia.
Here is one Of the most interesting
facts developed at today's hearing. The
beef trust, the sugar trust and the Ma
tionai Biscuit Company, better known as
the cracker trust. sold TO the Guild right
along at regular wholesale rates and told
the retail grocers 10 mind their own
business when that association COM
planned
Todays testimony. from a strictly local
Point OF view. the most interesting
of any that has been heard by the Moore
special committee.
Assistant Secretary Holmes Of the guild
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