The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-19

Evidence was afforded In the Senate
yesterday that there is political division
over the question Of adopting the reso-
luton appropriating $4,000 for the en-
ployment of experts 10 continue the in
vestigation in the high cost Of living
beyond the present session Of Congress.
The Democrats have opposed the pas
sage Of the resolution on several occa-
SONS. and yesterday Senator Clapp. one
Of the insurgents. lined up with the OPP
position. which indicates that Senators
who voted against the present tariff law
will oppose the resolution when IT comes
up to-day.
Senator Lodge, the chairman OF the
High Cost OF Living Committee. said that
it would be impossible to get present day
prices unless experts are employed to do
the work.
I'VE have prices for the past four
years" said Senator Lodge. and It
ought not 10 be said that we haven't
made an effort to get detailed prices at
the present time"
Overman Is Opposed.
7 am opposed" said Senator Overman,
Of North Carolina. IN reply 10 the Senator
from Massachusetts. ito this move 20
take the taxpayers money to furnish ma
terial FOR campaign textbooks. The
country Will be better satisfied II the in
formation necessary Is secured by the
Senate committee rather than by special
agents. I am opposed 20 sending these
experts around the country TO make an
investigation through somebody else's
spectacles."
Senator Lodge said II was question Of
getting present day prices. and that the
job is too large a one for the committee
to undertake
L am opposed" observed Senator
Clapp. Ito pouring money out of the
Treasury 10 tell the American people
what they are paying fer the things they
wear and eat to-day. The people in my
State know what they are paying without
being told by Congress. This is most
stra-ge proposition, to my mind, for Con-
gress 70 try 20 tell the people how much
they are paying to-day per yard for calico.
how much a dozen for their eggs. I don't
know about Massachusetts,. but the peo-
pie OF my state know what they are pay
ing out for living expenses"
Lodge Wants Comparisons.
Senator Lodge said il was necessary to
get these prices in order 10 make com
Parsons with prices already obtained for
previous years.
Senator Crawford. Of South Dakota. re-
plying 20 the Senator from North Caro-
Ira, denied that the request for the en-
ployment Of experts and the continuation
OF the Investigation is actuated By polit-
zeal considerations. An enforcement Of
the antitrust law would result in the
reduction OF prices to consumers. accord
ing 20 Senator Clay Of Georgia. who
justified high prices Of farm products.
suppose Congress should find that
meat. chickens. wheat. and other agricul-
tural products are selling at too high
prices. what IS going to be done about
it, asked the Senator from Georgia
Il can't say continued Senator Clay.
that the cotton grower, the wheat and
the cattle grower are getting too much
FOR their products. This is the most
satisfactory period in the history Of the
nation for the faTmer. 7 don't know that
j would change existing conditions If I
could. For the first time the farmer is
getting Just prices for his products. II
the antitrust laws should be enforced
we would get adequate relief for the
people who are complaining OF condl-
tions."