New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-15


fore the federal grand jury which con-
venes Wednesday.
81 intend TO make this investigation
thorough and exhaustive" said Mr.
Youngs last night. ct is my inten-
ton to trace 20 its source the soaring
Of food prices in this present emer-
gency."
District Attorney Cropsey. Of Brook
Ign. is also conducting an investiga.
ton. as is District Attorney Martin, OF
The Bronx
Prices Remain Same.
Despite the activities Of these vsri-
Gus prosecuting officers, Snd the inde-
pendent Investigations Of bodies like
the National Housewives League, prices
remained practically the same yester-
day as they were on Thursday, with
the exception of prime ribs OF beef,
which went up one cent pound whole
sale. Packers announced that prices
Of all cuts Of meat would advance on
Monday one-half to one cent higher a
pound wholesale.
In the wholesale markets poultry
was quoted little lower than on
Thursday Live calves went down 80
cents and sheep 25 cents hundred
weight
Cheese. which last week brought IS
cents, yesterday sold az 1864 cents
wholesale. All vegetables sold at the
prices Of last week in the wholesale
markets. except potatoes and onions,
which advanced slightly.
The demand for potatoes In barrels
has been so great that the price OF
secondhand barrels went up from %
to 80 cents.
The meeting summoned by Mayor
Mitchell was called TO order at II
o'clock The Mayor in his address said
the effort Of the committee should be
20 determine whether the rise in the
price OF foodstuffs was natural or due
to artificial causes.
Eve do not consider" he said. "and
! think this should be emphasized, that
any emergency situation exists at this
moment No such emergency may
arise On the other hand, one cannot
tell what will develop in a situation
Of this kind
Mayor Urges Preparedness.
Eve felt that the city should be pre-
pared. and that the best way to be
prepared 20 meet any critical situation
was TO have this committee organized
and ready 20 deal with the question af-
ter a study Of conditions. For that
purpose you are here this morning"
Mr. Perkins then took charge Of the
meeting, and said that while the prices
Of some commodities had advanced be
fore the European war there had been
sharp rise in the prices Of others
since then, and that there must be con
sideration Of both TO arrive at a solu-
tion Of the present conditions.
Continuing, Mr.. Perkins said:
81 think we should ask all wholesale
and retail dealers to come frankly TO
the aid Of this committee with sugges-
tions and recommendations. ! believe
they will cooperate with US II they
realize that the committee is going
about this work not in a spirit Of an
tagonism or persecution, but simply 10
ascertain the facts, that one and all
may cooperate, to the end that our
people. who in many instances are in
need from one cause or another, may
be helped in a practical, sensible way
Would Ask Railroads.
81 think we should ask transporta-
ton companies Of all kinds immedi-
ately TO make a study of all the terri
tory that they tap and let us know
or not il is possible for them
to bring into the city at reasonable
rates food Of various sorts that now IS
not brought here or larger quantities
than is now brought here, and if this is
the case 70 let as know why it is not
being done, that we may, if possible,
devise some way by which it may be
done"
The greater bulk Of prosecution OF
dealers in foodstuffs, if there should be
any, will in this way be under the di
rection of District Attorney Whitman.
He has appointed William A. De Forl
to take charge of the inquiry, and Mr..
De Ford. who broke up the poultry
trust" and sent nineteen of its mem
bers to Jail, will have the aid of Roger
W. Babson. the statistician.
Mr.. De Ford had a long conference
with ]. Ward Warner, president of the
Produce Exchange, yesterday. Mr..
Warner promised him the assistance of
the exchange and placed the statisti-
clan Of the exchange at Mr. De FOrd's