New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-07
Plans Inquiry Here and
AbrOad-Dillon Asks
Congress to Act

en- directing the egg boycott announced
that they were pleased with their work
and would aid the government in every
way in their power.
Yesterdays Official Moves
The three official moves Of the day
were:
Governor Whitman's compittee on
market conditions, Of which George W.
Perkins is head, had its first meeting.
II announced plan Of investigation
here and in European countries before
recommending market reforms.
John j. Dillon, Commissioner Of
Foods and Markets, sent an appeal to
President Wilson urging the appoint
ment of Congressional committee
to investigate the food conditions of
the nation preliminary to the passage
Of uniform laws, to supersede conflict
ing state measures.
Joseph Hartigsn, Commissioner OF
Weights and Measures, announced that
he had consulted with lawyers before
asking for Federal or state prosecution
of food spectators.
Whitman Committee Meets
The Whitman committee met in Mr..
Perkins's Office yesterday morning for
organizing and outlining its pro-
gramme. Charles W. Wicks, head of
the legislative committee that bears
his name; George s. Ward, 5. j. Low
ell and c. S. Sims are the other mem
bers of the body.
The initial work OF the board was
outlined in this statement:
"The committee has decided TO first
do what it can to provide such lmme-
date relief as it may be possible to
obtain; second. make recommendation
looking toward more modern and eff
iicient market methods.
AT its meeting it arranged to OBJ
tain as promptly as possible by cable
and through special representatives all
the information obtainable as TO mar
keting methods in Germany, England,
France, Australia and Canada.
"The committee will also look into
the best methods in vogue in other
states in this country and report on It's
findings as fast as possible"
Second Meeting in Evening
That the committee will lose no time
| in setting about providing immediate
relief" was seen in the fact that A sec
| ond meeting was held at night at the
home Of Mr.. Perkins. Incidentally, the
programme outlined will involve the
outlay Of considerable money, and since
the Legislature has provided none for
! the purpose, il is generally understood
/ that Mr. Perkins will advance 1t on the
slight chance of being repaid later by
the state.
/ Commissioner Hartigan amplifed his
1 statement that he had discussed the
/ possibility Of prosecuting food specula-
/ tors criminally with lawyers BY saying
/ he had evidence showing that the food
supplies of the nation were in the hands
| OF ring of twelve men. Most OF these,
| he added, were members of the Mercan-
/ tile Exchange, already under investigs
Z ton by Commissioner Dillon.
Mr.. Hartigan recommended the call
/ ing of a special Federal Grand Jury to
examine the witnesses who, he says,
are in possession of the facts. Def
/ mite action on the subject, he explained,
would be announced within few days.
Summarizes Boycott's Work
| He issued a statement summarizing
]
boycott. asserting that the consumer
/ had profited materially by ~. IL was
shown that eggs had dropped in price
4 or 3 cents "A dozen; that the demand
for those held by spectators was de
crcasing daily; that upstate organila-
d lions had been drawn into the night
and that practically every state in the
union promised to enter the campaign
/ through the efforts OF the American
I Women's Movement TO Conserve the
/ Food Supply. This society will hold
/ it's second meeting tomorrow after
noon.
The statement ends with this para
! graph:
! throughout the country. The Cover
nor Of each state will be requested TO
name a committee Of women TO engage
actively in the programme, which Will
be formulated az the next organization
meeting. Immediate relief measures
from the high cost Of living will be
urged BY the American Women's Move
nent 10 Conserve the Food supply
| Commissioner Dillon's plea for uni
form Federal food laws took the form
of a personal letter TO President Wilson
calling attention to the inability Of
state officials 20 enforce present reform
regulations because OF the contradic-
lions of the laws in neighboring states.
He urged Federal action in the opening
Of public markets, but asked, chiefly,
for an investigation OF the whole food
question throughout the country.
During the day the Commissioner en-
countered unexpected opposition 10 the
order demanding the stamping of all
cold storage eggs, with the result that
he began the preparing Of evidence OF
violations preliminary 10 starting suits
against big dealers These, he eX-
plained. would be filed as soon as they
could be prepared. The maximum pen
atty will be demanded N every case.
LIGHTNING RURNS MILES EARS