The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-17

They wanted US to get our prices for
the southern trade from them.
Q. Who was in charge OF the South
west Millers League at that time? A.
I don't know. My brother went down
to Kansas City. and he didn't like the
looks Of 1t. and we didn't take it up any
further at all.
| @. Never heard anything since? A.
Only they wrote us a time or two after
wards.
Q. Now, let me understand you. You
mean they wanted to furnish you the
prices at which you would sell your mill
products in these states? A. Yes.
/ Q. What states in particular would
you go into with your business? A.
Arkansas and Louisiana, principally.
but some in Mississippi and Tennessee.
Q. Do you remember what year that
was that you were at that meeting?
A. No. 1t was Ave. six or seven years
ago.
| Q. Kansas City, Missouri? A. Yes,
they had their conversation there. All
the cereal millers Of the west, as we'll
as business firms from the south. had
| a convention there.
Two copies Of the bulletin issued by
c. G. Topping, secretary Of the South
west league to members of the or
Iganization, were voluntarily furnished
Ry A Anna.1 Fa ssiIsr manager OF the
A list Of figures. prices of flour and
4 wheat products. is given In each, but
without explanation OF their source or
date.
Other witnesses examined Saturday
gave the assurance that the business
| of the league was of an entirely gem
eral nature. aside from price regula-
| ton. Freight rates, interstate COM
merce commission hearings. general
economic Investigations and the dis
tribution Of information regarding new
federal regulations and kindred sub
jects were mentioned as the matters
receiving the attention OF the organ
ization. Its membership. fee of SIS
annually has recently been raised to
i $40. The league includes millers in
Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri
and Nebraska.
i Summons Others.
Fred Robertson, United States dis
trict attorney, has summoned James
e. johnson and e. Montgomery of the
Retail Dealers association. and Harry
Whittlesey Of the Whittlesey Mercan-
tile company. to appear and give tes-
timony.
E. Montgomery is secretary of the
Retail Dealers association. Harry
Whittlesey is also connected with the
Owl grocery stores in Topeka
} Reports to Government.
y Washington, Aug. 17.-Reports to
the department of justice tell Of the
creation of artificial food prices all
along the line. A district attorney in
Texas reported that granulated sugar
had risen from $3.50 to $3.50 hundred
weight since a week ago: Swiss cheese
from Is cents to 38 cents; flour from
$4.75 to $40, beef ribs from 10 to 81
! cents per pound; sirloin %. to 80; pork
loin 10 to Is cents; and smoked hom
from 20 to % cents. The district at
torney suggested that small consum-
ers are charged even higher prices
than hotels and restaurants are charg-
ed. the figures quoted. A letter to
the attorney general from the mama
ger OF one of the largest livestock COM
mission companies in the west report
ed that while hogs declined in Chicago
one dollar per hundred pounds and
cattle declined 65 to IS cents per hun
drtd pounds, dressed products to the
consumer advanced several cents per
pound.
Probe at Chicago.
Chicago, Aug. 17.-Searchinx in
I Quiry into the present high price of
! foodstuffs was begun here today by
) officials Of the federal, state and city
t governments. Prosecution of firms or
. individuals held responsible for the
4 recent advance in prices was planned.
:, James H. Wilkerson, United States
3 district attorney. was prepared to
r serve subpoenas on men wanted to
t testify before the federal grand jury.
Tho district attorney said he would
= prosecute heads Of meat-packing es-
T adjustments or others whom he found
violating the antitrust act by COM
bination or concerted action intended
v to control or advance prices.
e Legislation providing for the pun
!. ishment of dealers who make the Eu-
- ropean war an excuse for advancing
4 food prices beyond reason was to be
4 considered at q special meeting Of. the
municipal market commission. House
Il wives. representatives Of numerous
women's clubs, city, state and county
!. officials and officials of the fedora
I government were invited to partici-
pate in the meeting.
MaclAy Hoyne. states attorney
with q corps Of seventeen invesd
Z gators, renewed his inquiry Into mar
/? keting conditions today.