The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-14
RedfieId unces At
tempts to Take Advant-
age of Trade Situation.
WILSON PUTS FEDERAL
MACHINERY IN MOTION
Government Will Determine Why
Cost of Living Is Being
Sent Skyward.
COUNTRY TO BE DEFENDED
Increasing Prices on Preteat
OF War.

WASHINGTON August l3.-Presi-
dent Wilson to-day set the machinery
Of the Federal government In motion
TO determine whether the cost of liv-
Ing is being Increased upon the pre-
text Of the conditions existing In
Europe" He called upon Attorney
General McReynolds to report II Grim
inal prosecutions were warranted, and
IL any new Law were neceSsary.
The President may send a special
message TO Congress in the latter
event
Certainly the country ought to be
defended" the President wrote to the
Attorney General. III possible, against
men who would take advantage Of
such circumstances to increase the
price OF food and the difficulties OF
living"
Attorney General McReynolds at
once set at work the Bureau of Inves-
,ization of the Department OF Jus
ticc. with hundreds OF agents through
out the country.
Agents OF the Department of Com
merce also were started upon the In
auiry. and Secretary Redheld con-
ferrcd with Secretary Houston of the
Department of Agriculture.
THREE DEPARTMENTS
ARE INVESTIGATING
within a few hours from the time
the President acted, three OF the exc
tbbING ueEdT OF the
were moving TO learn the cause of
the soaring prices OF food throughout
the country. Some officials. who be-
lievc the greater proportion OF price
increases have no connection what
ever with the European war but are
the result OF manipulations, attempts
at corners or individual efforts or
dealers, contend that the Conspiracy"
section OF the Sherman law covers the
sitpation. Attorney General Mickey
noids, however. VIII give an opinion on
that feature To the President later.
congressman who already have in
troduccd resolutions to investigate the
rise in prices. and others who are pre-
paring similar measures, viewed the
action OF the administration with sat
isfaction. They pointed out that,
while Hour particularly has taken "A
Sfcai jump in price. wheat exports
practically are paralyzcd, and millions
OF bushels are piled up in elevators or
III freight cars strung across tho con-
tincnt.
Secretary Redfeld wrote Chairman
Adamson. OF the House Commerce Com
mittee, suggesting an appropriation OF
siV'ooo Tor his part OF the investiga-
tion.
IT the present temporary stoppage
OF 'rhde with foreign countries is made
the basis for an attempt in this coun-
u! 70 put up prices artifically," said
y
SAY even damnablc.'
The food question was the first into
which President Wilson plunged when
he Went back To his desk after his re-
iurn from Rome. Ga. where he buried
Mre. Wilson
PRESIDENT IL ANXIOUS
TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE
The President early to-day sent tho
following letter to the Attorney-Gen-
eral:
THE rapid and unwarranted in
crease IN the prices OF foodstuffs in
this country upon the pretext of the
conditions existing in Europe is so seri-
Gus and vital a matter that take the
liberty OF calling your attention to IL. \
Il would be very much Obliged IL
you would advise me whether there is
under existing law, any action which
the department OF Justice could take
either by way Of investigation or legal
process, and what Federal legislation
II any, would in your Judgment be
justiiiable and warrantahlc in the cir
cumstances.
II feel that this is matter which
We cannot let pass by without trying
TO serve the country. Certainly the
country ought to be defended, if pos
sible. against men who would take ad
vantage Of such circumstances to in
crease the price Of food and the diff
ficulties Of living
Faithfully yours.
"(SigneD WOODROW WILSON"