Evening star., 1916-12-09
us. JUR|ES TOPROBE
H|GHCOST OF LIVING
Attorney General Gregory
Orders Investigation in New
York and Detroit.
TO TALK WITH PRESIDENT

Federal grand jury investigations into
the high cost of living were ordered to-
day by Attorney General Gregory to begin
at once in New York and in Detroit next
week.
Similar Investigations in Cleveland,
Kansas City, St Louis Minneapolis and
other points are under consideration.
Frank NJ. Swacker. an assistant attor-
ney general for the government in the
New Haven case, will be asked to take
charge of the New York investigation.
Reports to the Department of Justice
from its field force of investigators in.
dicate, officials said, the widespread
existence of combinations of brokers
and dealers in foodstuffs and coal to
force prices upward Most OF these
alleged combinations were said to be
local in character. All data concern
grand juries.
May Extend the Inquiry.
In addition to grand jury investiga-
tions in the east and middle west. Off
cials are considering the advisability of
starting similar proceedings in the
northwest and far western states. 1t is
likely that this latter proposal will be
held in allegiance, however. until the
Investigations more definitely contem-
plated are in full swing.
Activities of alleged food and coal spec
ulatorS are said to have extended as far
south as the Mexican border and to have
included virtually every section of the
country. Closely related to their alleged
activities is the shortage of freight cars.
information bearing on which is being
compiled by the interstate commerce
commission for use in the investigation.
President to Be Consulted.
The plan of procedure approved by the
Attorney General probably will be placed
today before President Wilson. United
States Attorney Anderson Of Boston, di-
recting the investigation. was told at the
White House that II pressure of other
business permitted the President would
see him.
Mr.. Anderson held long conference to-
day with officials Of the Agricultural De-
partment and was given a mass of in
formation relating to foodstuffs held in
refrigerating and other storage plants
throughout the country. Mr.. Anderson
also had an appointment with Mr..
Swacker today, at which it probably will
be determined whether, Mr. Swacker will
take charge of the New York end of the
investigation.
- What the Statistics Show,4-
Interstate commerce commission sta
tistics are understood to show that at
the height Of the rise in coal prices, at
. time when there was an apparent
shortage in the supply. hundreds of
loaded cars stood untouched in railroad
yards in the middle west. Whether this
coal was being held for further rise
by concerted action of its owners Is un-
characterization.
The only penalty for holding these
shipments, it was said. was a demur-
rage charge by the railroads. Higher
demurrage rates, running up to S. a
car on and after the sixth day of de-
livery, which become effective Decem-
Der Is. and increased per diem charges
to roads for the use of the cars of
other companies. are expected by on
cials to afford a measure of relief from
car shortage and high prices.
Loaded Cars Being Held.
Some cars. investigation is said to
from four to six weeks, and one case
has been reported where a car had
been held. loaded. 10s days. Measurable
scarcity of refrigerator cars for ship
ment of perishable foodstuffs was re-
ported to have been caused by failures
Of consignees to handle them promptly
Whether this failure was part of a con-
certed plan to create a car shortage
sand advance prices is under investi-
CATION.
I'VE have discovered there are such
things as car sharks In this country
as well as loan sharks" said Special
Assistant Attorney General Anderson,
while guardedly discussing his work.