The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-13
PROBE FOOD COST.
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uuOO6 BVOO VVOBu
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either by way Of Investigation or legal
process, and what federal legislation.
If any, would. in your judgment. be
justifiable and warrantable In the
circumstances.
IT feel that this is a matter which
we cannot let pass by without trying
country ought to be defended, II pos
s1ble, against men who would take
advantage Of such circumstances to
increase the price of food and the diff
ficulties OF living.
(Signed) Faithfully yours
WOODROW WILSON"
In Absence Of Law Mako One.
The president took up tn, question
of increasing prices the first thing to-
sure OF tho situation. He at once de-
cided that legal action should be taken
if possible, and If there were no law
covering the question, new legislation
should be passed.
Officials said the president consid-
cred that in many cases the increases
were wholly unjustifiable. When he
returned from Mrs. Wilson's burial at
Rome, Ca, res buttons already had
been introduced in the house calling
on the department of commerce and
the department Of justice to report
what action they were taking. Prest-
dent Wilson's interest In the situation.
however, was wholly apart from that,
and he probably would have taken
action before If it had not been for the
death in the White House.
Special agents Of the department OF
justice throughout the country, and
investigators of the department Of
commerce are available to collect evil
dence for any action the attorney gen.
eral may think warranted. The de-
partment of labor also has a corps
which has become very expert in
gathering evidence Of the increased
cost of living.
McReynolds's Reply.
Attorney General McReynolds at
once replied to the president as fol-
lows:
Il have your letter of August i 3. in
respect to the unwarranted increase
in the price of foodstuffs.
THE head Of our special agents has
been instructed to give directions to
his men throughout the country to
begin Investigations In order to ascer-
tain the real facts, and am sending
the various district attorneys similar
instructions. This should enable us
to secure some definite information in
respect OF true COuOlIlOnS.
May I take the liberty Of sug-
costing that perhaps the agents of the
department Of commerce could render
valuable assistance along the lines
indicated.
''When we have become somewhat
more familiar with the exact situa-
ton, 1 hope to be able to make you
some suggestions in respect OF legal
proceedings or appropriate legisla-
ton.
1.-THE department has for some time
been making Investigations in various
directions concerning the price of
foodstuffs.
Faithfully yours,
JAMES c. McREYNOLDS.
attorney General. -
The president at once instructed
Secretary Redield to have his agents
begin similar investigations.
Action in New York.
New York, Aug. STANDARDIZATION
of an alleged conspiracy to increase
the price Of food in New York city
was to begin today by District Attor-
ney Whitman, who announced that
wholesalers, retailers and others hav-
ing a knowledge of food prices would
be given an opportunity Of appearing
their version OF the upward trend OF
prices. In the event that certain per-
sons whom the district attorney has
invited to attend this inquiry fail to
appear, he announced that they would
be subpoenaed in John Doe proceed
ings.
Two other investigations to be set
in motion today were those under the
auspices Of Mayor Mitchell and Presi-
dent Marks of Manhattan borough.
Mayor Mitchell announced he would
appoint q citizens committee of fifty