El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-08-27
THINKS PRICES
Of FOOD To DROP
Government Agent Says the
War Is Being Made Goat
by Food Producers.

Europes war is the goat on which
American food producers blame the in
creased cost Of commodities The
United States department Of justice
official who is making an investiga-
ton Of the increase in FOOD prices so
declares
He is l. N McCIuer, special agent
Of the department OF justice, and he
is making a careful investigation Of
the price Of foodstuffs in Texas in
order TO inform the government as
to the conditions in this state Dur
ing his investigation, special agent
McCIuer has studied the situation in
San Antonio, Dallas, FL Paso and other
cities. and he says that there is no
apparent reason for the increased
prices which have resulted from the
war.
Probes Price of staple Commodities.
There are three staple commodities
which are being investigated by the
special agent. These are sugar, meat
and flour Prices have been obtained
from the various wholesalers in each
city Of Texas and are compared with
those Of other cities and states. in
order 70 arrive at a basis for consid-
ering the increased cost Of food COM
mOdities and TO evolve a method for
reducing the prices, If possible The
investigation was started at the sug-
gestion OF the department Of agricul-
rure, which invited the department Of
justice TO assist. However, If there is
anything found upon Investigation
which viii warrant prosecution for vio-
lation Of the federal laws. this viii
also be taken up, although the reduc-
ton Of prices was the primary cause
Of the research being made
Looks First Into Sugar.
sugar was one Of the first COM
mOdities I have investig gated" special
agent McCluer said None of the
wholesalers or commission men have
any definite information about the con-
troll Of the price Of sugar, although they
almost invariably attribute the ad-
vance in the price Of sugar TO the
manipulation of the sugar producers
This is not the governments assertion,
but that Of the wholesalers and commits
sion men and must be taken for what
It is worth. The wholesalers say that
the big producers have anticipated a
demand for sugar in Europe and have
increased the price I have learned {
that the American Sugar Refining COM
pany and its allied industries have re- /
fused TO sell TO wholesalers except in |
limited amounts This limit is the l
ordinary needs OF the wholesalers and /
the reason given for ii is that it is /
being done 70 prevent speculation 4
However, this is a rule that could work /
both ways. The fact remains that sugar /
has advanced from S4-61 to 1886 since I
the war started, and viii probably 20 |
higher There is plenty Of sugar in 4
this country and the new sugar crop
IS coming on before this supply is eT-
hausted- It is true that the suspen-
sion Of shipping has had its effect. upou !
sugar, but this will be remedied soon 1
and believe that the price will re-
sumo the normal again
Ny meat investigations show that
prices have advanced on ham, beef.
pork, bacon and other meat
products from 1 - to 8 cents a pound
in FL Paso and elsewhere in Texas.
where I have made Investigations. Lard I
and other byprOducts have also zone
up A packer in east Texas told me
that the drOuth had been responsible I
Tor the increase Dealers claim that ]
the price Of meat is controlled BY the I
meat packers in Chicago and that these
large packers are getting together and 4
liking prices and have taken advan-
tage Of the war to increase the price
OF all meats and meat products
Expects Price to Fail
Flour has gone up, but believe the
manipulation Of the wheat market BY