Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-09
C0NGRESSMEN, STIRRED,
CONSIDER RESTRICTION OF
WHEAT EXPECTATIONS


WASHINGTON, Jan. e,-The increase
in wheat prices. which threatens con-
| seduent increase in bread prices, has
stirred Congressman to earnest attention
| to the movements of the market and
| concern In regard to the possible de-
velopments.
Tho same situation exists today as ex-
listed last summer when the Department
OF Justice began an inquiry to determine
whether a monopoly existed to boost food
prices The situation now Ia, II any
tling, more serious. Then Congress was
flooded with resolutions to investigate
the reported conspiracy and to authorize
the Government to take such steps as
would prevent combinations being formed
to keep UP prices of necessities.
Immediately the Department OF Justice
started a widespread inquiry, with the
result that several arrests we're made in
Brooklyn This, and the threat that
there would be other proceodings, caused
the prices to drop, following the outbreak
of the war abroad.
BILL TO RESTRICT EXPORTS.
Representative f. 8. DeitricS, of Cam
bridge, Mass, is the author of a bill
which in brief authorizes the President to
limit the expectation of products of the
soil at any time when it is deemed ad-
vlsable to do so in order to protect this
country from inflated prices.
Mr. Deitrick, at the request of the Ad-
ministration did not press his bill last
summer. The necessity to do so soon
disappeared. Mr.. Deitrick said today
that he would appear before the Judi
ciary Committee next week and request
that his bill be reported, so that Congress
could pass upon the necessity for re-
stricting the expectation.
my bill would protect the consumer
of this country from the greed of the
speculator," said Mr.. Deitrick. 'I do
not think that the farmer, the actual
producer, is getting the advantage of in
creased prices. 1t is the middle man, the
speculator who, disregarding the condi-
ton of the suffering poor of the United
states, is taking advantage of the scare
ity in the markets abroad and cornering
the home market
THE result is that, with the greatest
wheat crop this country has ever had
in decade, we are paying more for
wheat and its by-products than ever be-
fore.
THE United States is suffering as much
by the war as the countries actually en-
gagged. The only way this can be stopped |
Is by limiting expectation, This could be |
done without causing any trouble or the |
breaking of neutrality. We can govern |
our own product and sell it to whom we |
wish. IT is the patriotic duty of the |
to lend it's influence to |
aiding the poor of the United States"
TO ASK WILSON'S ADVICE.
Mr.. Deitrick is a Democrat, and at the
first opportunity he will call upon Presi-
dent Wilson with the purpose of obtaining
his views in regard to the bill.
Department of Justice officials expressed
L.. |
a loaf of bread was about to jump from
cents to 6 cents in New York and Chi
cago. and possibly in other large cities.
No complaints had reached the depart
nent however, and no action has been
planned.
Attorney General Gregory has kept
close watch for any efforts to raise the
cost of living through combinations and
1t is considered certain that a rise in
bread would be looked into at once. 1t is
realized at the department that, with
wheat far above normal figures. bakers
have been forced to face the
prospect of higher -four
Officials are busy, however looking for
symptoms of conspiracy among bakers to
effect raise in prices. Concerted action
In different States would allow prosecu-
ton under the antitrust act.
SENATORS OPPOSE RESTRICTION.
Senator Fletcher, of Florida, ranking
Democratic member of the Committee on
Commerce, declared today that he would
oppose any project that would stop the
export of wheat from the United States.
1.-THE whole country should rejoice" he
said that the farmer is at last prosper
ng by the favorable price of grain and
here is no good reason why any one
should interfere with the exports since 1t
s the export market which maintains
he price, l cannot believe that any
member of Congress would attempt 10
start a movement to put a prohibitive
AK upon wheat expectations. That
would be the only method by which ex-
ports could be stopped"
This sentiment was echoed by Senator
Chamberlain. of oregon. who declared
hat the country had no cause to inter-
'upt the normal course of trade.
Senator Burton. OF Ohio. seoffed at the
dea. He said he did not believe there
vas any possibility of its being carried
,ut.
1t was pointed out that the eonstitu-
ion forbids any prohibition OF exports
md in this connection II was argued that
he resolutions to prohibit the exporta-
ion of munitions Of war must fail