The Washington times., 1910-01-05
Republicans and Democrats
Realize Necessity of I'M
mediate Action.
INDEPENDENT PROBE
IS AGREED UPON
Congressional Investigation Will
Be Taken In Addition 10 Work
of Secretary Wilson

II has become evident upon the re-
assembling OF Congress that one OF
the greatest problems which must be
dealt with al this session, not even
excepting President Taft's legislation
program, istle increased cost Of living.
Republicans and Democrats alike are
Convinced Of the necessity Of dealing
With the problem at the earliest pos
sible moment A score OF resolutions
have already been prepared and more
than that number Of speeches viii 30
made on the subject in the near future
It IS expected that Congress viii pass
a resolution OF some sort within few
days.
Prompt action VIII be taken for two
reasons one IS that the Republicans
fear the Democrats pr1ll make political
capital out OF existing conditions and
mold the tariff responsible Several
prominent mem bers OF the minority are
preparing 20 DO TINS very thing " nile Il
Is acknowledged an investigation which
would disclose the real source OF the
trouble Is q tremendous underta king.
The Republican members Of the House
ars particularly anxious 10 get II start
ed immediately and have q report II
ne earliest possible moment while
LneS are UNWILLING 10 admit that the
laTln - III any degree responsible for
The Increased. cost Of living they wish
20 be fortified with all available data
held tbs fall and the Republican Con
EressionaI campaign committee desires
10 Dc IN a position 10 TefuJe any claims
made BY the Democrats For this rea-
son an effort will be made 10 have re
1nVeSIi cations complete in time 10 have
The conclusions of the Government eE-
perts presented TO the public before
election day.
Independent Probe.
It IS not improbable there VIII be IN
investigation independent Of that which
VIII be conducted by Secretary Wilson.
Senator Crawford OF South Dakota has
been IN conference with officials Of the
Department Of Commerce and Labor
ana he has been assured that that de-
partmenL If authorized TO do so by Con
gTess, IS IN a position 10 conduct an n
--eSIlgaTlOn which would throw much
valuable light on existing conditions
and the causes therefor As q result OF
that conference M Crawford intro
duCed a resolution in the Senate today
authorizing Secretary NaEel 10 report
20 Congress AZ the earliest possible day
q the following subjects
The percentage Of increase IN the
United States in the wholesale prices
OF food products during the last ten
years the percentage Of increase in the
United States IN the wholesale prices
OF cotton, wool. flax hides and manu-
features thereof, including clothing. the
percentage Of increase in the United
States IN the retail pTlCcs OF the above
articles the percentage Of Increase IN
the average annual cost Of food IN the
average WOTkinSmau's family, the per
CeutaEs Of increase in wages, the aver
age increase in the worlds prices Of
Vegetable foods, animal foods and
clothing the circulation per capita IN
the United States from July I. 1885, 10
July I, 1909. and the worlds production
OF gold from 1895 10 1901
Senator Crawford IS confident that his
resolution is drawn in such q manner
al via At ~ NJ
the tariff IS responsible for the high
prices He inCIiueS TO the opinion, how
ever. that our immense circulation and
The heavy production Of gold has low
cred the purchasing value of q dollar.
Study Prices.
Representative Moore Of Pennsylvania,
who has been investigating the high
prices. viii Introduce d resolution ~ a
few days. giving the Secretary o. AETi-
culture Jurisdiction over cold storage
houses. Mr.. Moore is confident that at
least a portion Of the increased prices
is due 10 the practice or putting food
stuffs into storage instead OF keeping
them in the market This practice, he
SAYS results In CoTnerinE the several
markets HIS resolution also VIII pro-
vide that Il shah be unlawful 10 keep
any article Of feed IN cold storage Tor q
longer period than six months and that
The Secretary OF AE1CuiLuT6 SlaA De
authorized 90 condemn and destroy all
food found in cold storage beyond the
time limit fixed in the bill
Tgas poor man IS not the only one
VINO il feeling the effects OF the in
creased prices IL the necessities Of lie
L vas learned today -Ea- as q result
OF the high price Of food, the War De
r.srtnent viii be compelled 10 ask Con-
Erzss for q deficiency appropriation Of
s., so, 600 TO De used IN feeding The army
The present appropriation IS dwIndlinE
sEay at an alarming rate and army Of
nc ais say this Is due entirely TO the
fFr.raz End prices