The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-11
Questions of Supply and Prices
to Be Subject of Close
Study
THREE DEPARTMENTS
TO COOPERATE
Federal Trade Commission.
Agriculture and Justice De-
partments Will Make Inves-
tigation

= Washington. Feb, 10-President Will
son today directed that a federal m
Quiry be made at once into the ques-
ton of the nations food supply and
the high prices of foodstuffs. The
federal trade commission and the De
partments of agriculture and Justice
have been instructed TO conduct the
probe.
An adequate supply OF foodstuffs
II matter OF concern to the nation
at all times; It is OF peculiar impor-
tance at present" the president de-
clared in a letter to Chairman Hsr-
ris.- of the federal trade commission
The president seeks to ascertain
definitely whether current high prices
are due to manipulations OF trusts or
due 10 economic causes. Following
fast upon the presidents order. off,
clals charged with handling the in
quiry held conferences and laid plans
for an immediate prosecution OF the
work
Many necessary facts are not avail
able, the president stated land il Is
questionable whether any single
agency of the government at present
fNNSfSFfs tiit FtVuESttc power ana
equipment 10 secure the information
needed To enable both public and pri-
vate Instrumentation to render their
fullest service to the people.
Deterrent To Production.
IT il obvious that these Will he no
Sufficient incentive TO enlarge produc-
ton If there does not exist an unob-
structed and economical system Of dis
trtbution. Tnjustifiable fluctuations
they inevitably deter adequate produc-
ton,
1T has been alleged before COM
,sittee Of the congress and elsewhere
What the course OF trade in importa nj
food products Is not free but Is re
stricted and controlled by artificial
and illegal means. II l. Of the high
est public concern to ascertain the
truth or falsity 81 these allegations"
The president in his letter TO Chair
man Harris pointed out tina. the COM
mission did not require directions from
him az TO the exercise OF authority
already conferred upon II by con-
Tress- II am aware" he said that
the commission has additional au-
thority in this field through the power
conferred upon Il TO prevent certain
persons. partnerships or corporations
from using Hffair methods Of eompe-
fin0r IN commerce. presume that
YOU may see At 10 exercise that au-
thority upon your own initiative, with
out direction from me"
VIII Make Inquiry Searching
The commission announced that
the food inquiry would be the most
searching ana complete ever under
taken upon that subject by any gov
rrnmental agency The president was
satd TO have become impatient that
certain preliminary inquiries had not
produced concrete results. and he -
now determined that every possible
fart bearing upon the high cost of
living problem, be quickly and aeeu-
rateiy ascertained
The Investigation will supplement-
the work previously conducted by the
department Of agriculture In STUDYING
problems Of distribution OF foodstufYs
The data already gathered by the de-
partment WILL be Of immense value
in the investigation OF the general
subject. Department oficials declare
that much can vet be done to improve
methods OF production. and to improve
the food situation bv control or eradi-
cation Of plant and animal diseases
The problems presented in the field
Of food distribution are admittedly
more dificuit va.