The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-07
Dread Results of Rival
Inquiries Into High
Prices.
INVESTIGATE IS
PURELY POLITICAL
Leaders See That Agitation Of
Cost Of Living Will Figure
in Campaign, and They
Are Determined to
Patch Up Their
Fences.

Washington, d. c., February g.
Whether the Senate and House wi
conduct rival Investigations into tn
sarles of life is question that con
Germs the Republican political leader
more deeply than any other problem
now before Congress. If both bodies
conduct such an examination they feal
that different conclusions may be
reached. and that such differing re-
ports on the eve of the congressional
elections would be likely to prove en-
barrassing to the Republican majority.
Nevertheless. the Republicans of the
Senate apparently are determined to
order such an inquiry and conduct 1t
with the utmost dispatch. regardless
OF the views of the House leaders on
the subject
The Lodge resolution, which was
reported from the Senate Committee
on Finance, has bean amended SO as
TO provide for committee of seven
senators, and 1t probably will be re-
ported Tomorrow from the Committee
on Contingent Expenses. The enlarged
committee Will give Senator Elkins an
opportunity to serve as one of the in
Vestigators, IL he cares to do so, and
VIII unite the Republicans in favor OF
the inquiry There Is possibility1that
the investigation proposed by the
House Committee on Ways and Means
may not be ordered. but no decision
mas thus far been reached
VIII BE .sPoliticnl."
That the inquiry will be virtually
political In character is admitted on
every side. The Republican leaders
concede that the agitation over the
cost OF living will play prominent
part in the congressional crmpaigns.
and they show no disposition to dis
gulse their purpose to .fx up thar
fencesp as we'll as they can.
Especially they want 1t would seem.
to refute charges that the tariff Is
responsible for the increases. Tho Re-
pupiicans have brought forward the
theory that the expensive methods
used by American merchants in adver-
Using and distributing their goods lis
largely responsible for high prices.
Ihey VIII try to show that there is a
VIDE difference between wholesale and
retail prices, and that the tariff Is
not responsible for these differences
1t is reported that President, TAFT
desires the effect of the tariff unon
necessaries of life to be determined nv
the inquiry. however 1t Is conducted
and that he will not tolerate any ef-
Tort to gloss over any III effects that
may be disclosed He has not ex-
pressed himself publicly on this snh-
ject.
Appropriation bills will continue IN
occupy the attention of the House arr
ing the coming week. but In the Sen.
ate an effort will be made to comnleta
the postal savings bank bill In order
TO nave a vote not later than Thurs
day or Friday. OF the Presidents
policies, 1t is likely that the Statehood
bill next Will be considered by the
Senate.
No Interest In Bill.
Practically no interest is ha,rr
taken by either branch of Congress-
in the committee hearings on tho adj
bill for the creation of
a court of commerce and amending
the railroad rate laws. Open sessions
nave been held, but few members Of
Congress have taken the trouble to
investigate the progress, and even the
members of the committee have NOT
SHOWN the interest usual to such leeis-
ation. Ihere is a disposition to pass
lhe bill IN about the form in which 1t
- S.'Si'eSu i.5 ny lAltOrney-G General /
Nickersham. The hearings arc little
more than perfunctory.
Friends and enemies or shin suh.;d,,
legislation in the House are lining IN
'or sharp contest. There is nothine
20 indicate when vote may he had
On the bill. however Legislation or
his character has never been success.
Jul in the House. although it has
passed the Senate on several occa-
'ions 1t is likely that the subsidia
measure will pass the Senate, ana ,f
leld up in the House will be sent to
hat body as a rider on the post-offlce i,
appropriation bill.
Tho post-otiice appropriation bill
Will be completed by the House com |
nittee in all probability before tho
,lose of the week, but the Indications
lro that the diplomatic and consular
iii and the Indian appropriation bill
VIII prevent It's consideration.
A number of important hearings are
cheduled for the week, including one
n Tuesday before the House Commit
30 on Agriculture. to prevent gambling
n futures of products Of the soil