New Britain herald., 1914-08-19
MANY THINGS BLAMED
 FOR HIGH FOOD COST
MNF', Packers and Retailers arc
 Accused by lh5 fub.e.

washington, Aug. l1,-Ine depart- ment of justice has been flooded In the last few days by communications from district attorneys and volunteers as result of the high cost of food investigation order of the president. Opinions differ as To the responsible ity for the price increases. From two sources statements have come to the attorney general that the price of flour in certain middle western stats is controlled by a com- bination of millers. Another corre- spondent has expcssed the view that the attempt to overcharge the con- sumner has been made by combina- ton of the retailers.
 Letters to McReynoIds.
 The following information was giv- en out at the department of justice based upon letters to the attorney genral.
 Additional special agents have been sent to Cleveland, Providence, Baltimore, Pittsburg and Buffalo to assist in the investigation of the in- creased prices of foodstuffs.
 The district attorney at Buffalo will direct special efforts to an in- vestigation of the several large pack ing houses located there. and also into the rise In the cost of four-Buffaio being one of the largest distributing points in the country
 BIamcs MilIers' Associations.
 "A district attorney in the middle west says he has good authority for the statement that the prices of milling products in his state are fixed by two millers associations. He is making an investigation of tM charges.
 "A district attorney in Ohio says there is an intimation that the price of flour in his part of the state is controlled by board, and he is now Investigating the charges
 "A voluntary correspondent in Brooklyn asserts that the packers are rapidly increasing the prices of fresh meats there notwithstanding an un- usual amount of meats in cold storage in New York state. He says also that he has information that large quantities of sugar are being stored outside of their establishments by re- finers."
 A voluntary correspondent in New York sends the following
 Examine Stock Sheets.
 'I would suggest that you examine the stock sheets of the various sugar refineries as they appeared immediate ly before the war announcement. Trade had been dull for some time, and l think you will find that they had matted and stored quantities of refined sugar and had In storage much raw sugar bought at the lowest prices obtaining in years, so that the increased price they have put on res fined sugar is not due at this time to any increased cost to them of raw sugar."
 The general manager of one of the largest live stock commission com panies in the west says:
 As | am in the live stock business and a careful observer Of general con- ditions, am writing to advise yor that week before last hogs declined in Chicago si per 100 pounds. and cattle 50 cents to s5 cents per 100 pounds, excepting possibly a few loads of choice cattle. and at the very same time the dressed products to the con- SufneT AuNdHeea heNetai NShNS pSe pound.
 Blame Financial Conditions.
 "The packers said that reductions were made on account of the financial conditions and the stringency in money, but l do not know what ek-g cuse they gave for the price of the dressed article being advanced or what reasonab ble excuse they could give.
 "while we know that there is little beef or pork exported and from what can learn of our neutrality condi- tions if would be impossible to export anything at present. therefore l am unable to see why the dressed article should be advanced. The same would annIv to wheat and flour, as thet ia rmers arc complaining that they canpot sell their wheat on account of dnancial conditions, and at the same t,,,,e mills are advancing the price of eour which is more unreasonable"
 The reason for withholding the name of the correspondent is ex- plained by the following paragraph in his letter:
 .The position that we hold prevents us from saying and doing things that we would like to do to assist the gov ernment in rectifying the injustices heinz perpetrated in many instances, as we know the power of the people we deal with"