Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-19
MANY IN THE FIGHT
Two Hundred Thousand Want
to Join the New Anti Food
Trust League.
TAFT ENDORSES MOVEMENT
Cost of Living Brought Into Debate
in Congress and Republicans
Are Accused.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 19-Appli-
cations for 100000 membership cards
to the antifood trust league. recently
organized TO fight by boycott high food
prices, have been received already, it
was announced last night after the
first meeting of the board of directors
of the association
In addition to numerous individual
applications, various organizations
have asked for membership blanks to
be distributed to their members.
Among the organizations which have
written for application cards are the
Travelling Mems association, the Cen
trail Labor union of this city. the
Housekeepers' alliance and the League
of American Penwomen.
letter has been received from
President Taft, it is said, in which he
indorses the movement At last nights
meeting J. Lynn Yeagle of this city
was chosen chairman of the board cf
directors of the league.
Brought Up In Congress.
The increased cost of living was
brought into the debate in congress
yesterday by Representative Fitzger-
aid when the provision for an addi-
tional appropriation for the army ra-
tions, owing to an advance in prices,
was discussed.
1T is the administration of the
republican party that has caused these
increased prices" Mr.. Fitzgerald de-
clared, amid laughter on the repubii-
can side. You may as well make con-
fession now" he added, land be turned
out of Office instead of attempting 20
offer pretenses and hypocrisy as an
excuse for your guilt"
The taunts did not draw any Re
Spouse from members of the majority,
the additional money for the army be-
ing allowed.
VIII Take Census of Hides.
Striking a blow at the alleged ma
nipulation of slaughter house products
and the effect on the high cost of liv-
ing, the Crumpacker bill, providing for
enumeration at the coming census of
all cattle. calves, sheep, lambs, hogs,
goats and kids slaughtered. was or
dered reported favorably yesterday by
the house census committee
The bill provides for a full census
of hides to show increases in number
and prices and TO determine whether
these products are under the control
of a combination to affect market
prices.
Makes Farmer the ScapeEOnt.
Indianapolis, Ind, Jan. 19.-In lie
Tense of the retail dealers. against
whom the charge is made that they
are responsible for the increased cost
in living. President R. b. Clark yes
terday. addressing the first days SOS
sion of the Indiana Retail Merchants
associations annual convention, placed
the blame on the farmers.
In addition to saying that the IN
creased cost applies to meat, poultry.
butter and eggs. President Clark de
clared that the dealers should invite
the Investigations of a public commits
sion. as he believes the result will
show that the retailers are not re-
sponsible in any way for the advance.
Illinois in Conference.
Jefferson, City. Mo. Jan. 19.-Attor-
ney General Major announced last
night that he would call a conference
of the attorney generals of Illinois,
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas. Oklahoma,
Arkansas and Texas to discuss the
high prices of meat in an endeavor to
secure concerted action against the
so-called meat trust. Majors Office is
compiling data upon the investigation
of high prices
Harness Men to Meet Jan. 21.
Wewanee. Ill, Jan. president