The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-08-20
WAR ON HIGH PRICES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SUM.
MONS ALLEGED PRICE RAIs-
ERs BEFORE GRAND JURY.
BUSINESS MEN MEET M'ADoo
Government Aid Is Sought to Send
United States Goods to World Marts
President Says Nation Has Passed
Money Crisis.

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE depart
ment OF justice announced Friday that
the first action had been taken to
summon before a federal grand jury
persons alleged to have increased the
retail prices of food by reason Of war
conditions in Europe. District At
torney Clarence Wilson for the Dis
trict Of Columbia issued the first sum-
mons under the general order sent out
by Attorney General McReynolds.
Secretary of Commerce Redf1eld sent
kilograms to the departments field
agents in New York, Boston, San
Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta
and New Orleans, instructing them to
report whether the advance In food
prices is general or confined to par
ticular commodities, and II so, to
name them. Information also is sought
as to whether the rise has been sud.
den or gradual, and whether the rea-
sons given for the advance are real.
Agents Of the department are d.
rected to report if there is any ad-
vance due to speculation, either on the
general war situation, or on the tenn
porary delay in ocean transit.
Consider whether a fair stock ex-
lists or is available of any commodity
that may have been advanced" the
telegram read, and whether the facts
show purpose to use the war situa
tion to secure extra profit by increased
prices. Study to learn If any combina-
tion exists for the advance of prices
under the existing conditions"
Steps were taken to safeguard the
grain export, foreign exchange and
, shipping situation brought about by
the European war at an important con-
ference at the treasury department be-
tween officials and 62 representatives
of business, trade, shipping and bank
ing interests. Committees represent
ing the business interests were ap-
pointed to remain in Washington in
consultation with the treasury and
other departments until the stress Is
relieved.
Secretary McAdoo presided and the
| conference was also attended by Sec
| retary Houston, Secretary Redtield,
Assistant Secretaries Newton and Mel
burn of the treasury department and
Comptroller Williams. and many 9TH
ers.
The conference was received by the
president, who in short address said
he believed that the financial crisis
had passed.
Secretary McAdoo announced that
the government was willing and anx-
ious to cooperate in the solution of
the pressing problems Of expectation,
shipping and exchange and said that
while the problems were serious and
pressing they could be easily solved
by determination, intelligent action
and cooperation.
New York, Aug. l7.-Nation- wide
Indignation against the advance In
prices Of foods on account of the war
was reflected in this city when the
war on unscrupulous dealers opened
in earnest in three different quarters
AS result, dealers began reduc-
tion Of prices. The drop was particu-
larly apparent In the cost of meats
The price of lamb was reduced three
cents a pound. sheep two cents, and
beef one-half to one cent a pound.
A committee of 1877 business and
professional men, appointed by Mayor
Mitchell, met in the council chamber
of the city hall to take up the situa-
ton. This committee will work in
conjunction with the bureau of weights
and measures, and will also cooper
ate with the staff of District Attorney
Whitman.