The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-25
New York Member Assails
ongre.s For lncapacity to
Deal With Vital Problems
FCODSTUFFSs EMBARGO
MAY OFFEND SOMEONE
Borah, of Idaho, Proposes APP
preparation of en- Million to
Direct Federal Distribution
of rood

Washington. Feb. 24.-A stirring de-
mand for an embargo on the e%porta-
ton of foodstuffs As a means Of feed
ing the hungry thousands rioting in
American cities was made in the
house today by Representative Fitz-
gerald. of New York, chairman OF the
house APPROXIMATIONS committee, Rep
resentative Fitzgerald led the night
against the Administrations proposal
for "a $500. 600 appropriation TO finance
trade commission food cost inYes-
tigation.
He declared thar Investigations
would not feed the people. and said:
We have shown the incapacity Of
congress to deal with the most vital
problem affecting the American peo-
ple today. The riots that have taken
place are not the riots of the thrift
less and the worthless. II IS the out
ragged and indignant protest of the
thrifty. industrial and frugal who can
not meet the demands for prices OF
foods that now exist.
Might Offend Somebody.
They tell us we cannot put an
embargo on foodstuffs because It may
offen1 somebody But Great Britain,
the importation into Great Britain OF
things she does not want her people
to have In order to put food within
the reach Of The great suffering masses
OF this country. / am ready to pro-
hihit the expectation of all products
of the United States.
What is the remedy? What is
proposed where people are struggling
and rioting for food? When / sug-
gested last November that we put an
embargo on foodstuffs, the president
directed the attorney general to con-
duct an Investigation through the de-
psrtment of justice. Within a few
weeks that invests CATION was con-
cluded. A report was made that there
was no evidence that the laws had
been violated And now, when the
people are compelled to struggle and
fight and become disorderly for bod.
II is suggested that We spend 100000
and take eight months time in order
70 find out what the trouble is and
why they are hungry
The supporters OF the present in
vestigation plan arranged for final
vote on the appropriation tonight late.
For Government Distribution.
In the senate agitation for direct re-
lief for the needy in the great cities
continued Senator Rorah. of Idaho.
prepared n resolution appropr!ating
$40 600, 900 to he expended BY the
government III 1000 Distribution. ne
said il would delay introduction of
the measure until he concluded In
vestigations into conditions In New
York and Philadelphia
Reports 10 the department of jus
tice from all of the big cities told
of vigorous grand jury proceedings in
stituted against food dealers. The de-
partment was unable to say how sue
csssful the effort TO relieve the situa-
ton through legal means would be-
but ii was stated that the prosecu-
lions would be pressed TO the limit.
Railway Embargo Statements.
The ear service commission of the
American Railway association today
sent broadcast to railroads OF the
United States orders requiring state
ments OF all their embarsoes to be
sent 70 the Washington headquarters
This information is sought by the
commission in order that it may more
intelligently direct the movements Of
cars and the handling of trains with
view OF relieving the congestion and
the car shortage.
The interstate commerce commits
sion today continued its efforts to pry
loose the empty cars jammed tight
in the Eastern yards and terminals
and send them West to carry food
products Hundreds of empty cas-
now are on the move westward, the
railroads hoping TO get the whole stu
alton cleared M before the excursion
rush eastward to Washington for the
Inauguration starts and before the
spring floods interrupt traffic.