The Washington times., 1917-02-11
Investigation Expected to Bare
Vast, Combination Affecting
Ultimate Price.
WILSON ORDERS INQUIRY
Congressman Welcome Guest
for Remedy to Present High
Cost of Living.

The machinery or a nationwide
probe into the high cost OF foodstuffs,
set in motion by President Wilson
when he directed the Federal Trade
Commission, assisted by the Depart
ment OF Agriculture, to enter at once
into an investigation, Is expected to
uncover a vast combination affecting
the added cost of handling foods and
also to demonstrate that food specu-
lators are ignoring this country's de-
mand for supplies in order to ship
these supplies abroad at the war
prices. now prevailing in foreign
countries.
Members of the House, which will
be asked to appropriate money for
the Investigation, were elated at the
Presidents action. Congressman
Emerson and Fitzgerald, both OF
whom early this session introduced
bills designed to relieve the high
cost OF living. greeted the investiga-
tion as a victory.
Fitzgerald Wants Embargo.
Their comment was:
The President in a letter to the
chairman of the commission directing
the probe says that an adequate sup
ply of food products Is a matter of
concern t0Sthe national at all times.
He said ''it is OF peculiar Importance
at present"
The President pointed out that in
some respects the supply has steadily
expanded and has kept pace with the
increasing population. Unfortunately,
he said. this Is not true Of a number
OF important staple products. includ-
ing certain cereals and particularly
meats. Since 1900 there has been a
decrease of twenty-nine pounds Of
meat per capita, according to the
President.
However, he explained that much
can be done and Is being done to
change this situation through improv-
ed methols OF production and through
the control or eradication of plant and
animal diseases The President said
he believes that the problem OF dis
tribution is one of the biggest fac
tors responsible for the steady ad-
vance in the cost OF the necessities of
life.
Better Distribution Needed.
The President said II Is plain that
there will be no sufficient incentive to
enlarge production IL there does not ex-
Isl an unODSlTuCleQ anu cCOuOiulCaA vs.
tenn Of distribution He complained OF
unjustihabIe fluctuations in prices as not
only being demoralixingI but also newt
ably deterring adequate. production
"It has been alleged before committees
of the Congress and elsewhere" he add
ed. that the course of trade In tmpor-
tant food products is not free. but is re-
stricted and controlled by artificial and
illegal means. It is Of the highesc pub
lie concern to ascertain the truth or
falsity of these allegations. No busi-
ness can be transacted effectively In an
atmosphere Of suspicion.
III the allegations are well-ground-
ed. IL is necessary that the nature
and extent OF the evils and abuses be
determined, so that proper
legislative or administra-
tive, may be applied" To obtain this
end. the President advised that the
powers OF such agencies should be
made adequate. IL in any respect they
are now deficient.
The President said he was aware
that the commission has additional
in this field. through the
power conferred upon 1t to prevent
persons, partnerships, or cor
porations from using unfair methods
OF competition in commerce.