The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-08-14
? RESIDENT is
INVESTIGATING
THE PRICE OF FOODSTUFFS
is OUT OF REASON
ADVANTAGE! TAKEN
Unscrupulous Business Men Ad.
vance Prices Without Cause,
War No Reason

Washington. Aug. 13.-President
Wilson today set the machinery Of the
Federal government in motion to de-
termine whether the cost Of living is
being increased upon the pretext of
conditions existing In Europe" He
called upon Attorney General Nc
Reynolds to report II criminal pro-
ceedings. were warranted and II any
new laws were necessary. The Pres
ident may send special message to
Congress in the latter event.
Certainly the country ought to ,be
defended" wrote the President to the
attorney general. If possible against
men wfc would take advantage Of the
circumstances to increase prices of
'foodstuffs and the difficulties of liv-
ine"
Attorney General McReynolds at
once set to work the bureau Of invest
cation Of the department of justice,
/, with hundreds OF agents throughout
the country. Agents ofthe depart
iment or commerce we're also started
upon the inquiry and Secretary Red
field conferred. with Secretary Hous-
ton, Of the department Of agricul-
J. ture.
Within few hours from the time
the president acted three of the ex-
ecutive departments of the govern
ment were moving to learn the cause
OF the soaring prices of food through
out the country.
For Personal Gain
Some officials who believe the
! greater proportion OF prices increased
/, have no connection whatever with the
European war, but are the result of
manipulations, attempts, at corners.
or individual efforts OF dealers, con-
tend that the conspiracy" section
of the Sherman law covers the stu
atibn. Attorney General McReynclds
| however, will give an opinion on that
! feature Of the President later.
,ngressmen who already hcve in
troduced resolutions to investigate the
| rlsn IN prices and others who are pro.
| viding similar measures viewed the
| action Of the administration with
satisfaction. They point out that
/ while flour particularly has taken n
;. great Jump In prices. wheat exports
! practically are paralyed and millions
| OF biishels are piled up in the eieya-
| tars or In freight cars strung across
/ the continent.
| Secretary Refield wrote chairman
| Adamson, of the House commere
! committee suggesting. an appropria.
4 tion Of $4,000 for his part OF the In
vestigat!on.
! II the present temporary stoppagf
Of foreigf trade with the countries Is
! made the basis for an attempt In this
| country to put up the prices artih
! cfaliy, said the Secretary, 1t is unpa'
.trfosic, may even say damnable.
For SC0untry's Interest
The food question was the first into
| which President Wilson plunged when
! be went back TO his desk today after
/, Ills return from Rome, ca, whore ne
!, bnrieh Mrs Wilson.
4 The president early today sent the
!, following letter to the attorney gen
/. erel. ~
4 THE rapid ana unwarraAted in.
I crease ffi ffie price Of foodstuffs II
s thir country upon the pFetext OF thu
conditions ] existing In Europe is 81
serious ana vital matter that taks
!, the liberty or calling your attention
1 toltt. y.
I. would be very mitch Obliged 4
1 you would advise me- whether there II
4 under existing laws, any action which
the department OF justice could take
4 either by way of Investigation or le
!! gai proceedings and what Federal leg
/ islation, &c any, would In youf juds
menf be justiflabIe and warrantabls
In the circumstances.
/ ss OF Vest Importance
4 Il feel that this is 6 matter which
/ We cannot let pass by without tryiDf
to serve the country. Certainly the
i country ought to be defended. IL DOS
sibfe, against men who, would take ad
crease the. price OF food and the diff
enities OF liyfng. i: i S, M. Z
/ '.t ithfully yours.
(sienedI Woodrow WILSON"