The Washington times., 1914-08-18
CHARGE DELIBERATE
RAISING OF PRICES
President and Cabinet Told
That Net Is Drawing Around
the Guilty Ones.

Eviences of deliberate extortion and
unwarranted increases in food prices,
with the European war as an excuse
were detailed to the President and the
Cabinet officers today by Attorney Gen
eral McReynolds. The President was
Informed that the net was being drawn
closer around those persons who are
responsible for the inflated prices and
prosecutions would result
The probe in prices in the District,
now in progress by the Federal grand
jury under the direction of District At
tcrney Clarence R. Wilson, has been
extended to include drug stores. On in
formation furnished by the Department
Of Justice, the grand tury's attention
has been called to Washington drug
gist who has made a marked increase in
the price of olive oil. With a liberal
supply of oil on hand. the department
has been advised. the retail price has
been marked up from so cents a pint to
so cents, although the product is i'm
ported from neutral territory.
Must Not Discriminate.
Washington wholesale dealers were
today instructed by John H. Sherman,
superintendent of weights and meas
ures, thet they must not discriminate
between buyers for consumers leagues
and retailers, demanding that the same
price quoted to retailers be also quoted
to other individuals
The expectation of foodstuffs from
the United States is prohibited by
bill introduced in the House by Con-
gresham Ware of Pennsylvania, and
an amendment to the Constitution, cal
culated TO have a noticeable effect upon
hA TNy-lr nf dstr fz
be offered later by Congrt k9!an
Heating. The amendment gives Con-
gress the power to levy an export tax.
With this in operation Congressman
Keating argues that great quantities
of foodstuffs now being held UP for
export would quickly be thrown on the
market and thus the price of food
would be reduced materially.
On the other side of the Capitol, Sena-
tor Culberson has suggested amending
measure respond to the present emer-
gency in Furnishing conspirators and
price fiXers. 1T looks like some of
these dealers ought to 90 TO JAIL" he
commented in touching on the present
lofty prices.
For Quick Prosecution.
The Department of Justice, encour-
aged by the reports that continue to
pour in. is now giving its attention to
q plan for quick prosecution of all Of
tenders. Inquiries by Federal grand
juries, under direction of United
States district attorneys, is believed to
be the plan favored. In this way. de-
partment officials pointed out today.
delay would be obviated. Investigation
Of the cause Of raising prices and in
dictment of persons found criminally
liable for conspiracy, thus would be
iOined.
The Attorney General hopes TO have
complete report on the food price sit
uation to the President by next week.
Following the completion Of the in
Puiry on food prices. the Department
OF Justice intends 10 give its attention
TO an investigation of other increases
which appear unwaTranred. One of the
nrst matters to be inquired into will
be the thread industry. 4 circular
letter issued by the Spool Thread Cot
ION Company Of New York. announc-
ing a 20 per cent advance on numerous
lines Of spool cotton, effective August
10, has been received here. The whole
sale firm which transmitted the letter
to the department states that in the
face Of q large cotton crop and thu
lack Of ocean transportation, it is un-
able TO appreciate the necessity for an
advance in price OF spool cotton.