Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-12-10
INVESTIGATIONS
INTO HIGH COST
BEGIN At ONCE
Attorney General Gregory Or
derS Federal Grand Jury In
QuirieS to Start in New York
Immediately

rBY HoFNiNG .ouHNA. sNEclAt lrAsnp WFtl
Washington, Dec. 9.--Fedcral grand
jury Investigations into the high cost
Of living were ordered today by At
torney General Gregory to begin at
once in New York and in Detroit next
week.
Similar Investigations in Cleveland,
Kansas City, ST. Louis, Minneapolis
land other points are under consldera-
ton.
Frank NJ Swacker an assistant at
torney general for the government in
the New Haven case, will be asked to
take charge of the New York mvest-
cation.
Brokers Force Prices Up.
Reports to the department of JUS
tice from its field force Of investiga-
tors indicate. officials said, the wide
spread 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 con-
cerning them will probably be sub
mitted to grand juries
In addition to grand jury investlga-
tions in the east and the middle west
officials are considering the advsa-
bility of starting similar proceedings
in the northwest and far western
stateG It is likely that this latter pro-
posal will be held in allegiance or until
the Investigations more definitely con-
templated are in full swing.
Spectators in All Sections.
Activities of alleged foed and coal
spectators are said to have extend
ed as far south as the Mexican border
and to have included virtually every
section of the country. Closely re-
lated to their alleged activities Is the
shortage of freight cars, information
bearing on which is being comiled by
the Interstate Commerce commission
for use in the investigation
The plan Of procedure approved by
the attorney general probably will be
placed today before President Wilson.
United states Attorney Anderson of
Boston. directing the investigation,
was told at the White House that If
pressure of other business permitted
the president would see him. Mr.. An
derson held a long conference today
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 appoint
ment with Mr.. Swacker today at
which it probably will be determined
whether Mr. Swacker will take charge
of the New York end of the investi-
CATION
Commands Congress- Attention.
The subject continued TO command
attention in congress.
Secretary Bedfield submitted petit
ton which he endorsed from $50 em-
ployes of the census bureau for in
crease in salaries
Secretary Baker submitted recon-
mendation for an increase In money
allowed for food for enlisted men and
other patients Mt army hospitals be-
cause of the increased costs,
Another inquiry will be proposed IN
the house Monday when Representa-
tive SABBATH of Illinois expects to in
troduce "a bill directing the depart
ment Of Justice to investigate the cost
of sugar.
Representative Emerson Of Ohio in
troduced a bin prohibiting cold stor-
age warehouses from holding perish
able food products. including eggs
and meats. longer than three months
a biU TO conserve the ammunition
sunplv of the United States and 30
protect the people from tNtufteha'e
nrfces" i'm case Of war and from re-
sponsbiity of aiding in the continu-
lance Of the present European war by
temporarily prohibiting the export OF
firearms and war munitions was IN
troduced by Representatives Holhhgs-
worth Of Ohio.