The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-24
WAR ON PRICES
FOOn DECL AIRED
BY u. S. GOVT
Campaign of Prosecution OF
Spectators Launched.
District Attorneys in Large
Cities to Grand JurieS.
IDEAS CLASH IN CONGRESS-
Divergence of Opinions for
Remedy Delay Game.
COterie of Senators Favor GOVT
Purchase and Distribution.
Campaign of Prosecution Oh
Spectators Launched.
District Attorneys in Large
Cities to Grand Juries.
IDEAS CLASH IN CONGRESS
Divergence of Opinions Tor
Remedy Delay Game.
COterie of Senators Favor GOVT
Purchase and Distribution.

washington, Feb. 24.-War on food
prjces which have brought want and
sufferings to thousands in the great
cities of the country, was declared oy
the federal government today, after
President Wilson and his cabinet had
thoroly canvassed the food situation.
Shocked at the revelation that women
and children have been reused to riot
by hungry in the most prosperous
country in the world, in peace times,
President Wilson and his advisers de-
termiued to take vigorous and lmme-
date action. In congress, also, there
was a growing conviction that only
rastic measures to feed the hungry
would bring relief.
Following the cabinet meeting II
was stated that the president and ms
advisers believed that the shortage OF
railroad cars and the present tie up
of transportation facilities was in a
large measure responsible for the food
shortage.
Progress in Distributing Cars.
The interstate commerce commits
sion was ordered to press with all
visor its campaign to relieve the car
shortage. Today the commission re-
ports further progress and said that
the transportation problem was we'll
on the way to a solution.
Attorney General Gregory annourc-
ed as he left the White House that a
vigorous campaign of prosecution
would be begun at once against food
spectators thruout the country. He
declared that the preliminary investi-
cation of the department of justice
has uncovered illegal and speculative
deals, and that district attorneys thru
out the country would be directed at
once to proceed with grand Jury in
Nesttgations to indict all guilty spec
ulators. Tonight it was stated that
New York, Chicago, Boston and Phil
adelphia probably would be the scenes
Of those prosecutions and that pre-
Hmlnary steps had already been taken
Wait for Appropriation.
The federal trade commission and
department of agriculture are making
preliminary plans while waiting fol-
congress to act on their 100000 APP
preparation before starting their in
quiIy.
wide divergence of opinion among
congressional leaders as to how t.
meet the food issue, however. threat
ems to tie up this appropriation L
even threatens to delay relief meas
ares of any kind
Renewed fight on the food situation
promised to develop in The house to-
day Representative Borland was ex
pected 20 reintroduce his amendmen
Tor the 100000 appropriation.
Wants Confiscation by Government
In the upper house Senator Lewis
adm Illustration whip, wants to pusl
ms plan of confiscatinS cold storage
products, held in violation of law ant
reseil.ns them to the needy.
Numbers of senators are known t,
favor federal purchase of great foo
supplies for distribution to the pub
lie at reasonable prices"
Among those considering this plal
are Senators Borah, LaFollette an,
Kenyon. In event it is adopted. the
will urge the war department as tn
distributing agency