The Mena weekly star., 1913-05-15
DIARIES MAKERS
 OF HARD TIMES
If Any Factory Is Shut Down the Administration Is Going to Find Out Why and Publish Facts
 Work Has Begun.

Washington, May 9.-Threats by American manufacturers that they will close their factories when the tariff bill becomes a law, because they cannot longer operate profit ably" were sharply answered to- day from administration sources.
 Let them shut down if they want to-" was the attitude taken by the administration, but the rank and file of the American people will be given an object lesson for the req son."
 The lesson will come from the department of commerce. It has already started, acting under a sec ton of last years commerce apprO- priation bill, to investigate the cost of production, living conditions and profits abroad. This will be fol- lowed by similar investigations here.
 All Gases to Be PrObed.
 Should any American manufac- turer reduce wages on the excuse that the low tariff made it neces- sary, close his factory or curtail operations, giving a similar reason, Secretary Redfield will act, under the direct orders of President Will son.
 The president is very greatly an gered over the reports which have reached him that in certain lines of endeavor there is already an under standing to close down factories in a spectacular manner as soon as the new law is in effect and blame the Democrats. This action, he has been told, is intended to influence congressional elections. So the or der has been given to Secretary Redfield. A fund of Sl00,000 for the purpose will be at his disposal in a few days, to be increased to one million dollars if needed, and facts and figures to show that the tariff is not the reason will be quickly available.
 Underwood Gives Warning.
 Representative Underwood made the administration attitude plain last night when, just before the final passage through the House of his measure, he faced the Republi- can side of the chamber and said:
 T give you notice now that if any manufacturer attempts in the in- terest of the Republican party to threaten labor there is a bureau in this government, the bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, created by the Democratic party, that will go into the factory, make a thorough investigation and aScer- tain the reason why
 Secretary Redfeld explained the plan to the United Press today as follows;
 T have recommended to Presi- dent Wilson that he make available an appropriation of Sl00,000 to cover section in the appropriation bill which stated that among the l duties of the department of com merce are to ascertain the cost of producing articles at the time du- tiable in the United States in other countries, including the wages paid, | hours employed, profit of manu- lecturers and producers, and the comparative cost of living and the kind of living.
 Pottery Investigation First.
 This investigation, the law pro- vides, shall be conducted when re- quest is made by the president or by Congress. l have asked the president to order it now. The ap- propriation is already available, and the presidents consent is all that is needed to begin the work
 Secretary Redfield made it known for the first time that his order of Tuesday for an investigation of pot tery manufacture was the initial step in the general probe. P. J. Sheridan, formerly an expert of the tariff board, has been sent to New York to begin this work and will leave for Europe shortly.
 The clay products section of the bureau of standards at Pittsburg, under direction of Prof. A. B. Bleininger was directed today by the secretary to cooperate in the pottery investigation. Plans for investigation of other industries are rapidly advancing so that special