The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1914-08-16
FEDERAL INQUIRY
into FOOD PRICE
INCREASE BEGUN
Attorney General and Secretary of
Commerce Issue Instructions
To Representatives
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
IF VI0LATORS ARE FOUND
Government Agents To Go Into
Every Phase of Advance in
Living Cost

Washington, Aug. illegal
forces, state and federal, all over the
country have gone into action carry
.ng out President Wilson's sugges-
ion for an investigation of whether
'ood prices are being increased arti7
heially on the pretext OF the Euro
Dear war and for criminal proseCu-
tion if that IS found to be the case.
The national capital led off the
ampaign with grand jury investi-
cation to which commission mer-
chants, wholesal and retailers.
buyers for hotels and restaurants,
were subpoenaed and citizens having
evidence We're invited.
Reports of other investigations
beginning in many localities by
United States attorneys and state
and county authorities began pour
ing into the Acknowledgements
office. e'
Special agents of the Department
Of Justice begn their search for evil
denca OF manipulation or other
methods of price fixing and Seore-
taIy Redtield sont de.l.isd inslruc~
lions to agents of the Department of
Commerce on carrying out their
part of the Investigation
President Wilson, officials said
aroused by what he considered the
wholly unjusti6able increase in the
cost Of food is giving his personal
attention and encouragement to the
investigation.
Agents OF the Department Of Com
merce began their work today as
part of the investigation ordered by
the president to determine if food
prices in this country are being un-
necessarily raised because of the
European war. These instructions
were sent to the field agents in New
York, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, At
lanta and New Orleans:
You are instructed to inquire i'm
mediately and carefully whether
there has been a recent rise in retail
prices in your city and vicinity, and
If so on what articles and to what
extent.
Special attention should be given
to foodstuffs and articles of clothing
and other necessities. Learn wheth-
er the advance II it exists is general
or confined to particular commodi-
ties, and If so, what ones. Find if il
has been sudden or gradual, If any
articles have fallen in price, stat
facts concerning them. Learn wha
reasons are given for any advanc
that may have occurred and inquir
particularly as to whether such rea
sabaif d4t GfAE at tlhi OUEos
Give special care TO determininf
If there has been any advance due t.
speculation, either on the genera
war situation or on the temporary
delay In ocean transit. Conside:
whether a fair stock exists or
available Of any commodity that
may have been advanced, an(
whether the facts show a purpose t.
use the war situation to secure un
due extra profits by increased prices
Study to learn ii any combination
exists at advance prices under ex
sting conditions. When the fact
shall have been determined suff.
'iently to give a clear idea of tbs
gencral situation. report then
promptly"
President Wilson conferred with
tttorney-General McReynolds ant
iecretary Redfeld about the investi
alton. Secretary BedGeld showed
he President the instructions h,
adj sent his agents and said he ex
ected to have enough facts within
he next week to turn them over Il
he Attorney-General for action
| Investigation of food prices In tn,
ational capital began today. Dis
4 riot Attorney Wilson began grand
| ury investigation and summone,
ommission merchants, buyers fo
otels and others to testify