The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-18

is made up. The price bulletins put
out by them contain no explanation
of the purposes for which the bull
letins exist. Millers here deny their
prices are controlled by this league.
They also denied through an extend
ed examination that they received any
suggestion of prices from this league
or anyone else. Only one miller here
admitted receiving these bulletins.
After getting his admission 1 was able
to show that the other millers re-
ceived the same thing. This suggests
the possibility of a millers' secret COM
bine on prices through this league in
the territory named. Further testi-
mony Of wholesalers shows SO per
cent increase since August first in
price Of navy beans. also sharp in
creases same period on spices, pepper,
canned meats and pork. My investi-
cations here will continue today and
tomorrow and possibly longer Wit
nesses present themselves in my office
in response to letters calling on them
to do so. All have responded prompt
ly. Am making complete stenographic
record
After Retail Grocers.
Today Fred Robertson is question
ing men engaged or interested in the
retail grocery trade of Topeka. c. M.
WhittIesey of tn Whittlesey Mercantile
summoned in today's session of the
federal inquiry into high food prices.
For later in the day summons had
been sent for J. E. johnson and E.
Montgomery, president and secretary,
respectively of the Topeka Retail
Dealers association.
Socialist Miller to Testify.
C. B. Hoffman, prominent Socialist
and millionaire miller of Enterprise.
Oh tn nd
testify before the government investi-
cation, and will report at O'Clock
Wednesday morning. Mr.. Robertson
talked to Mr.. Hoffman by long distance
telephone today. the latter readily
agreeing to take the stand tomorrow.
While Mr.. Hoffman has long been
one of the leaders in the milling in
dustry in Kansas, he has been equally
well known as an enthusiastic worker
in the Socialist party and at various
times has been nominated for state
office on that ticket in Kansas Mr..
Robertson today expressed his salts
faction at obtaining the cooperation
of Mr.. Hoffman in the present investi-
CATION of food price increases which
includes the FIGURING mill prices now
in force.
That such increases as have been
made in the price OF meat on Topeka
markets are in no wise to be attributed
to the influence of the European war,
shortage both in the visible supply of
manufactured meats and in live stock
offered on the market. is the assurance
Of H. A. Harris. sales manager Of the
Wolff Packing company. who took the
witness stand in the government inves-
tigation conducted by Fred Robertson,
United States district attorney.
Mr.. Harris admitted a general raise
of from Y to l cent per pound on all
packing house products in the last few
weeks. This he said is a regular sum-
mertime occurrence and can be traced
through by-gone years. ~kers at
tribute It to a natural slackeninR of
marketable meat production in sum-
mer. Prices will continue increasing az
q general thing until September, by his
prediction.
I'VE are running under our capacity
because We cannot find the animals for
slaughter. The farmers are holding
back their live stock In the face of the
increasing market just as everyone else
| II inclined to do in the hope of better
J prices. said ha- 'EAsk - xAa1 reason