The Washington times., 1915-02-16
Conspiracy to Send Up Retail
Cost Alleged as Investiga.
ton Opens.
q. W. PERKINS TEsTIFIEs
Bakers Side of Situation to Be
Heard by Referee in Today's
Proceedings.

NEW YORK. Feb. 1S.-Indictments
Of bread to cents a loaf in New York.
Deputy Attorney General Alfred L.
Becker hintcd today at the opening Of
an Investigation to determine whether
state antitrust laws have been violated
by bakers and -four dealers.
Governmental investigation into the
wheat situation particularly as to how
much wheat the farmers are holding,
was urged by George W. Perkins. chair
committee. the first witness.
The investigation, Perkins said. should
extend over three lines: How much
wheat is being held 3 by farmers; m. Ts;,s,1H how
men. and how much the speculation of
European buyers has Influenced the sit
uation. The farmers. Perkins said,
should not be allowed to 60 unancs-
In my opinion certain big dealers
have been guilty Of a criminal con-
spiracy In boosting the price OF bread"
said Becker. I'VE are reasonably sure
who some Of the big criminals are and
we expect to land them"
Eleven Called Today.
Eleven witnesses are under subpoena
to testify today. They include william
Muschenheim, proprietor Of the Astor
Hotel; William Steinmetz. president Of
the Retail Master Bakers Association;
Hugo Fredericks. president Of the
Wholesale Bakers Association. and Of
ficers Of leading New York baking
About fifty witnesses have been sum-
moned thus far.
Referee Nussbaum Is exIacted to
a. hA ~ th4 i,,S,o lon
tion today whether witnesses will be
permitted to be represented by counsel.
The question Of immunity will not come
up tSSdaS; srs he said; ;nidrm,t,or t,st ,s,d, -,
to think that crimes have been COM
mitted In this State and we are going
after the criminals" Becker stated. Il
think we can get them, too:
dealers were involved in conspiracy in
the rise in price which took place in
Chicago. Duluth, Minneapolis, or any
other grain center. they are liable to
der which we are conducting the probe.
The statute especially states that any
act pursuant to a conspiracy or com
bination. performed in this State. is
as illegal as If the whole conspiracy
Board of Trade. expressed his willing
ness to testify at the inquiry in a tele-
gram TeCclNeQ ny beChcT' amy dS
ceptance Of the invitation to be pres
ent indicates other big grain men,
such as Joseph Letter Of Washington
James A. Patten, and George Margery
will also appear. although no replies
have been received as yet from them
Twelve Ounces For 5 Cents.
In an effort to prove the raise in
bread to cents is not justified. Joseph
J. Hurtigan. commissioner of weights
and measures. has discovered two large
bakers who have agreed to sell a full
twelve-ounce loaf Of white bread. made
Of wheat -four for 5 cents over the
have a daily capacity OF more thar
10000 loaves.
Inspectators Of the bureau Of weights
and measures found over forty viola
tions yesterday Of the met weight
law," which requires the baker to marx
the weight Of the bread on the loaf oil
wrapper. Most Of the bread bought
was through a grocer retailing a large
bakers bread. Eve wholesale baker!
were found to be violating the law. ant
the cases will be Immediately prose
cuted through the attorney general!
office.
Without a dissenting voice. the bakers
assembled at the conference held by the
mayors committee of food supply yes
terday disclaimed any responsibility fol
the advance of bread to 6 cents. Evi
epeculators, grasping farmers, anC
avaricious flour dealers were Cacl
blamed in turn for the rise.
The United States Government wal
the guilty party. one baker asserted