The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-12

!. decide whether they would risk break
ing contracts calling for deliver,
abroad Of nearly 65.0oo,oo0 bushels o
wheat. The contracts were made Of
the basis Of prices before the war ans
\ with the exhorbitant demands Of shiE
owners for transportation and heavy
i insurance, the exporters stand to LOSE
an enormous sum.
! Some Of the shippers said oppor
tunity might be offered to ship viz
Liverpool.
j John Bassett Moore, counsel FOL
the North American Grain Export as
ISOLATION, advised cancellation Of ths
contracts.
CHICAGO ACTION.
| CHICAGO, Aug. 12-Federal, state
and city officials today declared war
on war times food prices. Attorney
fWiIkerson spending his vacation At
Pentwood, Mich, sent word here TO-
day that he will return to Chicago
Friday and begin an immediate probe
to learn why meat packers and whole
sale food houses suddenly boosted
prices skyward. He intimated that
grand Jury investigation may be
asked.
"A grand Jury will be available to
receive any evidence there may be for
presentation" said Wllkerson. THE
facts az find them In Chicago will de-
termine my course at action.
States Attorney Maelay Hoyne an
nouneed tho beginning Of an inquiry to
learn whether any individuals or cor
porations have been guilty Of con-
spiraoy under the state law providing
fines and prison terms In forcing feed
prices higher under war time ex-
euses. Alderman James n. lawley,
chairman of the municipal markets
commission today announced that he
is drafting an ordinance for price
regulation and called for conference
of federal, state and city officials.
Edward Levy, former president OF
the Illinois Master Butchers assoeia-
tion, declared today that when CHI
caqo butchers meet tomorrow night to
protest against the action Of the meat
packers, he will advocate government
regulation Of food prices.
1--WE should have government
board to establish prices according to
the laws Of supply and demand" said
Levy. "The people should no longer
be left at the mercy Of the packers"
GRAIN CONFERENCE.
NEW YORK, Aug. 12.-secretary Of
the Treasury MeAdoo notified the
North American Grain Export associa-
ton today he would meet with its
members here on Friday to thresh out
the problem Of getting grain to
Europe, and hear stories Of big ex-
porters Of wheat contracted weeks
AGO to furnish various interests in
England and on the continent with
wheat at the market price.
Since then grain has gone UP by
leaps and bounds on account OF the
war, owners Of ships are withdrawing
ships from trade and insurance mas
risen to an exorbitant figure. Unless
the government can aid by furnishing
cheap and assured transportation,
grain exporters face heavy losses. A
meeting Of exporters, scheduled for
this afternoon to discuss ways and
means, has been postponed to await
Secretary MeAdoo's conferences.
UNDER FALSE PRETENsE-
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-in a reso-
luton 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 combinations
amona dealers to advance the price
of food stuff. The house resolution
also asked the department OF COM
neree to advise regarding the guam
tity of food stuffs exported for the
months proceeding the European war
and tho quantity exported since the
beginning Of the war. The preamble
o. the house resolution reeites that
the European war Is being used by
dealers az an excuse for boosting
prices and that such claims are false.
| Representative Kahn Of California
TODAY said that he would offer bill
making 1t a penal offense for any two
persons, firms or corporations to en-
ter Into an agreement to raise the
price on articles Of food.