The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-07
FOOD PRICE inquiry
IS POLITICAL GAME
Republicans Greatly Alarmed
Lest Tariff Shall. Be
Blamed.
FIRST THOUGHT OF LEADERS
Is FOR SAFETY OF FENCES
Said President Is in Earnest.
and Will Tolerate No
CLOSING.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.-Whethcr the
senate and house will conduct rival in
vestigatons into The cause Of The high
cost OF living is question that concerns
Republican political leaders more deeply
than any other problem now before
congress. IL both bodies conduct such an
examination the leaders fear that diff
fcrcnt conclusions may be reached and
that such differing reports on the eve of
the congressional elections Will prove en-
barrassing to the Republican majority.
Nevertheless Republicans OF the senate
apparently are determined to order such
an inquiry and TO conduct II with the
utmost dispatch. regardless OF the views
The Lodge resolution reported from the
senate committee on finance has been
amended so as To provide for commit
tee of seven senators. and it probably will
be reported tomorrow from the commit
tee on contingent expenses. The en-
larGed committee will give Senator Elltins
opportunity 10 serve as ono Of the IN
vestigators if he cares and will unite
the Republicans in favor OF the inquiry.
There is possibility that the investi-
cation proposed by the house, committee
on ways and means may not be ordered.
but no decision was reached on this point.
A Political Inquiry.
That the inquiry will be virtually
political in character is admitted on every
side The Republican leaders conccde
that tho agitation about the cost of living
viii play prominent part In the con
gressIonal campaign and they show no
disposition 10 disguise their purpose TO
FIX UP their fences
Especially il seems they want TO re-
rute charges that the tariff is responsible
for The increases. They will Try 10 show
that there is a wide difference between
wholesale and retail prices, and that the
tariff is not responsible for these differ
enccs.
II is reported that President Taft de-
sircs tho effect of the tariff upon necCS-
sarlcs of life 10 be determined by the
inquiry and that he nil! not tolerate any
effort to gloss over any i'll effects.
Appropriation bills Will occupy the at
tcntion of the house this week but IN
tho senate an effort Will he made TO
complete the postal savings bank bill. so
as 10 have n vote not later than Thurs
day OF Friday.
or the presidents policies it Is likely
that the statehood bill next Will be
considered by the senate.
Interest Is Lacking.
Practically no interest is being taken
by either branch OF congress in commit
toe hearings in the administration blil
for creation OF q court of commerce and
amending the railroad rate laws. Open
sessions have been held, but few members
OF congress have takon tho trouble TO
investigate their progress and even mcm-
bors OF the committee have not shown
the interest usual to such legislation,
There is a disposition 10 pass the bill
I'm the form In which u was presented
by Attorney General WickcrShan,
Friends and enemies OF ship subsidy
legislation in the house are lining up for
n sharp contest. There is nothing TO
indicate when n vote may be had on the
bin Legislation Of this character has
never been successful I'm the house, al
thought IT, has passed the senate on Sow
cral occasions. II * likely that the sub
sidy measure vii! pass the senate, and
IL held up in the house IL will be passed
10 that body as a rider on tho Postoffice
appropriation bill