The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-18
WILLIAMS TO
CONDUCT PROBE
Editor Heads Committee to In
veStlgate Food Question
ASKS PEOPLE TO SUPPLY DATA

Investigation Into Causes Leading to
High Coat Of Living viii Begin
Early Next Week at Sidney or Ma.
rietta--lnterests at Work to Pre-
vent Employment Of Trust Buster
Wachenhelmer as Attorney For In
qulsitors-Deaton After Hooking.
Columbus, o., Jan. 15.-Lieutenant
Governor Treadway named as senate
members of the food probe commit.
tee Daniel w. Williams, Republican,
Jackson, and !. w. Gotshall, Demo
crat, Of Fulton. Mr.. Williams is an
editor and Mr.. Gotshall a manufac-
turer Speaker Mooney, for the
house, named w. w. Norris, Republi-
can, of Cleveland, and Louis NJ. Day,
Democrat. of Ross Mr.. Norris is a
lather and labor leader and Mr.. Day
is an attorney.
Soon after their appointment the
members of the committee met and
organized by electing Mr.. Williams
as chairman and Mr.. Day as secre-
tary. The question of selecting an
attorney was left open until after a
conference with Governor Harmon and
Attorney General Denman, slated for
Tuesday. Even before the commit.
teemen were named 1t was known
throughout the legislature that a de-
termined effort was being made to
keep its members from selecting ex.
Prosecutor Wachenheimer of Toledo
the man who sent the ice barons to
jail-as its attorney. 1t is rumored
that Attorney General Denman will
offer the services of one of his assist.
ants to perform the legal work of the
committee.
Appeals to People.
Chairman Williams has issued an
appeal to the people OF Ohio to assist
the probers by coming to the front
with specific information in regard to
any high, unreasonable or exorbitant
prices for foodstuffs, especially in
small quantities as bought by labor
ing classes, and specific information
relating to combinations on the part
of any dealer or dealers in food com.
modities. Judges, prosecuting attor.
neys and lawyers are asked to fur.
nish suggestions for remedial legisla.
tion and for overcoming difficulties In
enforcing present statutes.
The committee will get down to
business early next week, either Sid.
ney or Marietta being selected as the
point for the initial insertion of the
probe.
Senator Deaton of Champaign coun.
ty introduced resolution calling at,
tentlon to the report Of the interstate
commerce commission, which met in
Columbus March IS, 1909, and inves-
tigated alleged discrimination. The
report was to the effect that the To
ledp & Ohio Central, the GAINESVILLE
& Western and the Kanawha & Mich.
igan are controlled through stock in
terest by the Hooking Valley Railway
company, parallel and competing
line. The resolution declares that
this report OF the Interstate com
merce commission indicates that the
laws Of Ohio are being violated. II
is set forth that there has been per
sistent and bitter complaint OF dis
elimination In rates on the part OF
shippers, especially coal operators
whose business Is said to have been
damaged by the combination. The
resolution therefore directs the attor
ney general to bring action against
this alleged monopoly, to the end
that discrimination may cease and
shippers be treated justly. The reso
luton went ever to Monday.