The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-29
SPECTATORS PLAN
TOCONTROL POTATO
CROP, CHARGESG!
New Phase of Cost of Liv-
ing Problem Brought to
Attention of the Depart
ment of Agriculture

Washington, November 2S.-A new
phase of the cost of living problem
was brought to the attention of the de-
partment of agriculture today T. =.
Gill, secretary of the Irish board OF
agriculture, told Secretary Houston
that spectators in the large cities OF
the United States were actively buy
ing up this years short American po
tato crop and planning to hold out
for high prices. counting on the exist
ing quarantine against potatoes from
many foreign countries to aid them in
their undertaking.
Mr.. Gill is here to urge the removal
of the embargo on potatoes from Ire
land and has been getting private ad :.
vices from various sources on the po-
tato situation in America. He insists
that the powdery scab found on pota-
toes imported from ireland Is no cause
for quarantine because a similar blem-
ish already is common in the United
States and declares that continuance
of the embargo Will contribute to tho
growing cost of living.
No Action Announced
Secretary Houtson and the federal
horticultural board held a conference
after Mr., GilTs statement, but no ac-
tion was announced.
Representative McKellar of Tennes-
see, author of a pending bill to pro-
hibit the keeping of products in cold
storage for more than 80 days. was in
conference today with department of
justice officials over the departments
Investigation of the storage of eggs
poultry and dairy products 1t is said
preliminary inquiry has revealed that
90 per cent of the present egg supply
held in storage is in the hands of the
great meat packers of the country
Letters and kilograms poured in to-
day from all parts of the country from
individuals. associations of various
kinds and from business men, praisine
the departments effort to break hign
food prices by proceedings against the
alleged combination of cold storage
dealers. Interest in Attorney General
McReynolds' declaration that a sweep
ing investigation will be made of the
alleged combination and if violations
of the pure food act We're disclosed
prosecutions could be looked for, ap-
parently is greater than In any move
the department has made in a long
time.
Feel Oppressive Hand
Housewives who say they have felt
the oppressive hand of high prices in
many ways wrote telling of their indi-
vidual experiences and heads of organ
izations that have taken an active part
in trying to reduce the living cost
were just as anxious to tell what thew
knew. Many of the letters contained
accusations against the packers of Chi
cago and charged them with respon-
sibility for cold storage prices Others
blamed the middleman but there were
no letters which did not express the
conviction that the campaign would
disclose some sort of nation wide COM
bination which can be reached by the
department. -tHf
The work of the departments agents
has progressed just far enough for the
Attorney General to be desrous of
more details. No expense will be
spared from the funds available to ger
to the bottom of the combination #
there is one and if there isn't any
combinatio officials here feel certain
that much information of value will De
unearthed