The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-14
ADVANCE IN PRICES WILL BE SUBJECTED ID THOROUGH PROBE Experts Cannot Figure In creases Are Justified So Early In Fight WAR TAX MUST SOON BE PUT INTO EFFECT Necessary for United States to Raise One Hundred Million a Year of
 Loss In Revenue From Its
 Imports
By c. E. STEWART

Washington, August 3-(Special.)-Con gross will not stand for material ad- vance in the prices for food in the United States without an investigation as to the causes From all parts of the country comes the information to Washington that food prices. particularly on meat, are soaring on the prospects of firm mar ket and the prospective big European demand The matter Is being carefully watched by Charles J. Brand, chief of the division of markets of the depart ment of agriculture.
 The experts of this recently created bureau are of the opinion that the ordi- nary law of supply and demand does not warrant an advance in prices at this time.
 It is pointed out that the meat packers are in an advantageous position because their product is susceptible to storage, and it is believed that a large part of their products are being stored waiting until such time as ships can be furnished for export and then they will step in and reap harvest by taking the cream of prices from the European markets.
 Right now the railroads have an em-
 bargo on shipments for export, but this fact has not diminished prices in food centers on the contrary, in many in- stances they have not only been main- tained, but advanced for the shippers are waiting till Congress has provided the laws for American registry of foreign ships and they will then unload their products for export.
 Members of Congress are open in their
 expression of disapproval of the whole sale advance in prices of foodstuff, for home consumption, and sharp look out will be kept for combinations in the various markets looking toward the gen.
 eral advance of the cost of living work ing hardships upon the people of this
 country when it Is not necessary.
 It is expected that imports of meat
 from Argentina will be largely discon- tinued because this meat will now seek the European markets. where larger prices will obtain. This will be small factor in the advance of the price of meat.
 The war will undoubtedly work hard ships enough on American citizens with unnecessary advances in foodstuffs, is the opinion of the experts of the agricultural departments. Because of the falling off of import duties originating from the countries at war, 1t is estimated that the government will be shy in treasury re- ceipts to the extent of $100, 100000. It will be necessary for our own people to make good this deficit. Therefore, notwith- standing the fact that this country is at peace with the world, a war tax will have to be levied. MT. Underwood in discuss ing the matter said that there was no hurry for levying this tax, but that soon CT or later if the war continued it would have to be done. The House leader did not indicate just what form of a tax the ways and means committee would recommend to the House, but 1t is likely to be stamp tax, such as was used ex- tensively in the war with Spain, stamps on checks. deeds, mortgages, medicines, playing cards and the like. MT. Un- derwood figures that such tax will pro duce the hundred millions necessary to
 make up our losses In import duties. Experts believe that this loss will not exceed about one-third or hardly so much of the total import duties-or about two thirds of the duties on goods received from the countries most involved in the European war.
 The republicans are endeavoring to make