The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-14

The first step in the investigation by
Congress OF the high and increasing cost
Of the necessities OF life was taken yes
terday. when Chairman Smith, Of the
House Committee on the District. ap-
pointed a committee Of seven members
10 tackle the subject. with particular ref
erence 10 the National Capital
The committee consists Of Representa-
tives Moore. Of Pennsylvania, chairman;
Pearre. Of Maryland; Wiley. Of New
Jersey; Coudrey, Of Missouri. Johnson.
Of Kentucky; Rothermel, Of Pennsyl-
vanis, and Cox, Of Ohio.
Based on Bill.
The basis Of the inquiry will be the bill
introduced by Representative Moore. pro-
hibiting storage Of perishable foodstufTs
in the District for a longer period than
/ six months.
The hearing will begin next Monday or
Tuesday, and will continue until the COM
mittee IS satisfied 1t can place the blame
for the present evil
Representative Smith explained that in
/ selecting the committee he had chosen
members representing the different sec
| tons OF the Union.
| He has been Of the opinion for several
weeks that the investigation, which has
attracted nationwide attention, should be
begun in Washington. inasmuch as the
findings Of the committee Will have an
excellent moral effect on the rest Of the
country.
| Representative J. Hampton Moore said
/ last evening he intended 10 get his COM
mittee together at the earliest possible
moment, TO outline the plan OF procedure
list of Witnesses.
I'VE intend 10 make up a list Of those
officials and merchants upon whom we
will call as witnesses" said Mr.. Moore
Until we have complete details and
definite information on which TO base in
| telligent and remedial recommendations
/ the committee will not stop the hearings
Il have given much time and study tc
/ this question, and I have in common with
many Of my colleagues, arrived at the
! conclusion that the increased cost OF
! liyinq is one Of the most momentous
! problems Of the present and the future"
DemOcracy's View.
Representative Lloyd, of Missouri
/ chairman of the Democratic COMPRESSION
al Committee. gave out the following:
The cost of living has increased sc
rapidly since the adjournment Of the ex-
ira session Of Congress that the whole
oountry's attention is called 10 the evil
effects Of the present tariff law.
THE extraordinary amount of theft and
defalcatiOn that is found in official places
has alarmed the people and the attemp,
Of the administration 70 conceal informa-
ton as to the extent of It, and to avoid
all Investigation excepting such as the
administration desires, brings a blush OF
shame to the average American citizen.
why should not the representatives
Of the American people see the books and
make an investigation so as to bring t.
light the full extent OF official wrong
doing?
Il have no doubt that the coming cleo
ton will be a determined rebuke ag-ins
Republican policies. The extravaganza o.
the recent past. and the present depleted
Treasury is the cause Of great sOliCita
ton on the part OF the people. A work
ing Treasury balance reduced from $3.50
100000 10 less than SS0Oo.000( in three
years, and at a time Of profound peace
is enough to cause every American pa
triot to call a halt and demand retrench
ment in public expenditures"