The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-12-08
Department of Justice Officials
Taking Up Matter From Three
Angles, While congressman
Also Consider Action to Binq
Prices Downward.


ing began today to take definite
form, with indications that it would
be one of the most comprehensive
ever undertaken and would extend to
every section of the United States. Not
only is sweeping inquiry into the
causes of the soaring cost of food
stuffs contemplated, but the recent
pinch in the coal supply and its re-
sultant price advances also will be
made, in all probability, the subject
of broad investigation.
From President Wilson down, Off
cials began efforts to cope in earnest
with the problems presented by the
situation. The president took under
consideration preliminary reports
which with others yet to come will
form the basis for recommendations
he may make to congress.
A dozen speeches on the subject
were made in the house and several
resolutions proposing inquiries were
introduced. These were referred to
committees without discussion, most
of them going to the interstate and
foreign commerce committee, of
which Representative Adamson, who
is opposed to embarpoes is tho cba;r~
man.
partment of ;ustice officials ho,S
all day conferences with n,en,bers Of
,he federal trade commission and
District Attorney Anderson of Ros-
ton, in charge of the departments in
vestigation end here to formulate
definite plan of conducting the ma
tion-wide inquiry. About so picked
members of the department,s bureau
of Investigation were reported r. he
at work throughout the country
gathering data which will determine
the attorney generals course.
Commission Nav Aid.
3 The interstate commerce commits
4 sion probably will he BALLAD ,,nan 70
, aid by furnishing data relativessko
shfpments Of, odstuffs and " "A ~
: sierson will confer with comm; sion
officials before his departure. Grand
jury Investigations at New York or
Cmcago, or both, of the reasons for
raising prices are said to be still un-
DER consideration.
With the program still in process
OF formation there were increasing in
dications that officials were consider
ing the situation from three angles,
namely:
l. Determination of the actual
causes of the rapid rise in foodstuffs
and coal, whether it was due to nat
urai economic laws, to the unwar-
ranted action of individual dealers
and producers in advancing prices,
or whether there exist agreements
among groups of dealers or producers
TO boost prices.
:. vigorous prosecution of persons
or hrms, II any, who by violation of
existing laws in making agreements
TO raise prices or otherwise have
contributed to the upward trend of
p.e
ol,, ~ e.en. vi ies!Sia'ioh 10 rem
~. te pesnt 9i'ua'ion ana 10 pre-
''' r,:c :e,ce e.
s' stage NOW.
Inc situation Is in the first of these
stages, SO Tar as the department of
JuStice is concerned. With its inves-
liSators aIready at work department
o"iciaiS cailed upon the FEDERAL trade
commission Tor cooperation and were
promised AID. In addition department
ohiciais are understood to be consid-
ering the adVisability of having such
organizations as the Chicago Board of
lrade, the chicago Butter and Egg
exchange, the Eigin Board of Trade
ana the New York Produce, Sugar and
,,;on, ses i'ivesligated WIN
tho r,a,Sot w. o ,,ei., .al'ik ny wnat practices
Jao,. I Net ~ values Oh certain 1oodStuHs
!" oy 'hese pouleS are deter-