South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-09
Threat of Criminal ProSeCu-
ton, Caused Sudden Shrink
age in Quotations on Ne
ceSSitieS of Life.
EVIDENCE is FOUND
OF HUGE CONSPIRACY
Big Board of Trade Dealers,
MiddIemen and Others Are
Expected to be Drawn
Into investigation.
International News CIVIC:

International News Service:
WASHINGTON. Dec. 9. The
cost Of living has taken a drop.
Advices from all sections Of the
country TO the department of agri-
culture and of justice indicate this
fact. The reduction in prices, while
small, is general officials believe
that il will be continued.
They place the responsibility on
the announcement Of the govern
ment that criminal prosecutions Of
food price manipulators are certain
Officials Of the department Of JUS
tice claim they already have con-
crete evidence OF conspiracy against
men in almost every line of food
supplies. and others. Concerted
action is planned against these per-
sons. The agents OF the department
Of justice. operating under the or
ders of L S. Dist. Atty. Anderson
of Boston. have turned in a report,
which il is stated, show general
conspiracy to manipulate prices.
President Gets Facts.
4
Pres't Wilson by Mr.. Anderson. The
president directed that immediate
prosecutions be undertaken. Ander-
son will leave here early next week
10 visit middle western cities TO con-
fer with federal attorneys on the
subject When he returns an effort
will be made TO present all of the
evidence simultaneously 10 United
States grand juries sitting in various
cities.
The chief obstacle in the way OF
prosecutions is the desire Of the ad-
ministratiOn that those persons
who have been active participants in
the alleged conspiracy shall not gain
immunity by being summoned TO
tell Of their operations before
grand jury. This has proved a knot
" problem, but the officials say that
they are fully confident that it can
be solved.
Much Of the evidence so far
amassed deals with the holding up
of coal cars. refrigerator cars and
the like.
Cars Held on Sidings.
These cars have been held idle on
sidings at various points while a
scarcity of products has forced prices
sl-yward Department Of justice
agents insist that they will be able
TO show that in certain instances at
least these cars were held as the
result Of a conspiracy between deal
ers in the big eastern cities and the
men who had control of them.
SO far as embargo legislation by
congress is concerned il is agreed by
administration leaders that there is
no chance Of its being successful if
directed against food products sim
ply 10 keep down prices. Even
though the house should pass any
such legislation the administration
is i'm control Of the senate and would
Kill il in a hurry.
Wiley Has Remedy.
DR. Harvey W. Wiley came for
ward today with a remeGv which. he
said. would prove successful in keep
ing down prices. He believes that
the various municipalities should
establish municipal food depOts
The farmer is not getting the
money indicated by the high prices. 20
the doctor said today. TT is the
middle man. II the poor man would
buy bran instead OF brands ne would
DE better of. He pays % cents for
a patented package of food which
would cost only three cents if he
would prepare it himself Talk OF
more food laws is foolish. We want
no embargo on food. what we wan
is care in using our food and then
prices will be low enough. We
waste enough food % supply all
q rrr