Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-12
CONGRESS ASKS
WHAT IS DONE TO
KILL FOOD TRUST
Bill Will Be Presented Making
Pact to Boost Price
] Crime.

Special to the Evening Star.
WASHINGTON. Aug. t2.-In a
resolution introduced in the House
today, Representative Howard, OF
Georgia, called upon the department
of justice TO advise what steps are
being taken to prosecute alleged
combination among dealers to ad-
vance the price of food stuffs.
The House resolution also asked the
department of commerce to advise
regarding the quantity of food stuffs
exported for the months preceding
the European war and the quantity
exported since the beginning Of the
war.
The preamble of the House resolu-
ton reeites that the European war
Is being used by dealers as an ex-
cuse for boosting prices and that
such claims are false.
Representative Kahn, of California,
today said he would offer a bin maxi
ing it penal offense for any two
persons. firms or corporations to en-
ter into an agreement to raise the
price on any articles of food.
While Attorney General Mercy
nolds was absent from the city, OFF,
clals of the department of justice in
Dictated that the strong arm of the
antitrust law might reach out to
crush any conspiracy to boost prices.
Action of Western packers in rails
ing wholesale prices was particu-
larly under suspicion. 1t was stat
ed at the department that United
States District Attorney James II.
Wilkerson at Chicago has the situa-
ton under scrutiny and Is vested with
complete authority to take whatever
steps are necessary.
Investigations by the department OF
Justice and also an independent IN
uuiry by others were agreed upon.
Pennsylvania representatives. led the
movement for a Federal inquiry.
Representative Kelly declared that
the Chicago grain exchange should
be investigated primarily to ascer-
tain If grain spectators rather than
legitimate supply and demand, were
responsible for the soaring of grain
prices in the face of bumper crops
and also despite the fact that pros
poets for was expectations are UNI
favorable.
A meeting of the House Interstate
Commerce committee was planned
for tomorrow for an investigation.
ut Is outrageous to increase prices
of domestic food stuffs at this time,''
said Representative Donahue.
NEW YORK, Aug 12.-Acting on
complaint of the Housewive League,
District Attorney Whitman began an
investigation to determine whether
there was an attempt at conspiracy
in the sudden upward movement in
food prices in New York. Meanwhile
dealers kept their goods at their
higher prices and even predicted in
creases.
According to meat dealers the
American public will suffer most
when Europe begins offering exorbi-
tant prices for our foods. Packers
and other producers who are not in
business for their health will accept
these inflated prices and all the Amer
Joan public can do is to pay the same
rates. This fact led to discussion
among proponents of a fight against
1<tne food trust for a movement look
ing toward imposition by Congress- of
an EXPORT tax. 1t was pointed out
that such a measure would swell rev.
enues and take the place of those
which II was expected would be lost
through curtailment of European ex-
ports.
Because the worlds production of
sugar will probably be little more
than half the normal. wholesalers to-
day predicted ten and possibly fifteen
cent sugar. Flour is already up twen-
" per cent, ana Stlil cilInplnB.
Special to the Evening Star
CHICAGO, Aug. 12.-Federal. State
and city officials today declared war
on wartime food prices.
United States District Attorney
James H. Wilkerson, spending his va
cation at Pentwood, Mich, sent word
here today that he will return to
Chicago Friday and begin an imme-
date probe to learn why meat pack
ers and wholesale food houses sud
denly boosted prices skyward. He in
timated that Federal investigation
may be asked. States Attorney Nc
Clayton announced the beginning of
an inquiry to learn whether any in
dividuals or corporations have been
guilty of conspiracy under the State
law providing fines and prison terms
in forcing food prices higher under
war time excuses of shortage.