New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-13
PROBE OF RISE in
FOOD PRICES BEGINS
District Attorney Starts
Investigation of Alleged
Conspiracy.
MAYOR TO NAME
INQUIRY COMMITTEE
Both Have Laws to Support
Prosecution-Expected That
Washington Will Act.

General dissatisfaction with the in
creased prices OF foodstufs, for which
many dealers say the European war 10
responsible, has become so acute that
Investigations, federal, county and
city, are imminent. District Attorney
Whitman has designated William A. De
Ford. Of his Office, TO begin an inquiry.
Mayor Mitchell said yesterday ne be-
licycd the increase IN prices was due
TO selfshness and would appoint a
citizens committee TO make an inquiry.
an view OF the fact that we haven't
begun 20 export from this country and
that transportation facilities have been
greatly impaired" said the Mayor, 1T
is my belief that the advance IN prices
il a selfish one and not demanded by
conditions. | believe the rise IN prices
to be artificial and, for that reason, in
tend 10 appoint committee to see
what can be done TO remedy matters.
Assistant District Attorney De Ford,
who will look into conditions in the
county, had charge Of the successful
prosecution of the poultry trust in
vestigated the butter and egg trust,
and worked with the Attorney General
in the cases against the American Ice
Company and in the fight for lower gas
rates. A statute Of New York State
prohibits any combination or con-
spiracy in restraint of trade and any
conspiracy TO raise prices of food SUP
plies.
Mr. De Ford's inquiry will begin i'm
mediately. At the start IL will consist
merely Of examining, more or less in
formally, according TO their willing
ness to appear, representative pro
vision men. Upon the facts thus
brought out depends whether a grand
Jury or a John Doe inquiry can be
made to determine whether a crime has
been committed. The following state
ment was issued by District Attorney
Whitman:
ANY combination of dealers in food
stuffs which, through a monopoly, may
conspire to advance prices unwar-
rantably is guilty of conspiracy. This
Office will begin at once a thorough in
vestigation to determine whether the
advance in the prices of food in the
County of New York is the result Of
such a conspiracy. / shall welcome the
cooperation of any body or bodies o.
citizens who may be in a position 70
aid in this inquiry"
Action was taken by District At
torney Whitman at the request of Mrs.
Julian Heath, of the Housewives
League.
Ii has been reported to the Bureau
of Weights and Measures that, owing
TO the higher price Of -four, some of
the smaller bakers have cut down the
size Of their loaves of bread. In
spectors will be sent out to-day TO in
vestigate.
Mrs. Heath last night gave out the
following statement:
"The United States is at peace with
all the world. We have just harvested
the greatest crops in our history. The
people of the United States should be
enjoying time Of great prosperity
and of reasonable prices for ali food
stutfs.
"The American woman is vitality con-
cerned when an assault is made upon
the home. She is responsible for the
running of the household, and II is he-
duty to safeguard the family treasury
against eXtortion.
"The spectators who are now rails
ing the price of foodstuffs are making
war upon the homes of the American
people. The housewives of New York
here and now declare war upon these
vulture spectators.
ave call upon every woman in the
United States who has any responsi
bility for the conduct OF the home 20
enlist in this war of defence. We
shall also call upon every prosecuting
officer to aid US in this campaign"