Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-25

Washington, Feb. 24.-The soaring
cost OF foodstuffs throughout the
country today engaged the attention
OF virtually every governmental
agency with even remote relation to
the problem.
President Wilson and the cabinet
discussed the situation from many
angles, its cause and remedies. Views
held by some OF the conferccs were
that the record prices were inter-
twined with the general car shortage
and congestion on transportation
lines and indirectly affected by the
German submarine warfare which has
resulted in vast accumulations OF
freight and resultant car congestion
at eastern scaports.
View Of I. c. c.
Department of justice agents re-
sumed with new energy their inyesti-
cation OF prices to determine II there
IS an actual shortage Of foodstuffs at
large cities, here rioting has recently
occurred. Attorney General Gregory
announced that measures which may
be OF Considerable avail' toward bet
tering that situation probably would
be announced shortly.
The Interstate Commerce commits
sion through its field force of investi-
gators and officials here, kept close
watch on the railroads efforts to un-
ravel the tangle of cars at congested
points, announced the transportation
west OF many trains OF empties,
chiefly for relief at Chicago, and was
reported to be satisfied that the
gigantic task Of restoring conditions
TO normal was progressing satisfac-
torily and as speedily as might be ex-
pected.
Disclaims Responsibility.
The car service commission OF the
American Railway association, the
railroads supreme court in all sub
iects affecting shortage and con-
gestion, disclaimed all responsibility
on behalf Of the roads for contributing
TO the rise through failure to furnish
transportation facilities and an
nonnced thai at no time had any COM
plant been received, which would In
dicate that there was a shortage OF
food anywhere in the country.
The newl. created shipping board
submitted to the president plan for
relief by placing American vessels In
the coast-to-coast trade, thus releas-
ing freight cars required for trans
continental traffic. A large merchant
marine which could be used for this
duty. sailing by way OF the Panama
canal would be valuable on the pas
sage BY congress OF amendments to
the shipping bill now pending.
Causes for Rise.
The railroads views were in direct
conflict with those of some members
Of the cabinet in so far as they rs-
lated to the connection between car
shortage and price increases. The
belief generally expressed at the meet
ing was that the car shortage and
congestion were largely responsible
for the rise.
lata submitted by the Interstate
Commerce commission and other gov
crnmental agencies relating to con-
gestions and the volume Of exports
was considered in detail by the
cabinet. Reports showed radical in
creases in congestion at Atlantic
ports and sharp reduction in exports
since the beginning of unrestricted
submarine warfare by Germany.
Remedies were conceded to be in
the formative stage. The nature OF
measures under consideration by the
Department of Justice was not dis
closed. The departments recent ex-
llaustive inquiry into the practices OF
dealers in fuel and .oodstuffs is said
10 have revealed state OF affairs
which. although patiently artificial in
some instances, was beyond the scope
Of existing federal legislation to cor
rect.
Combinations have been uncarthcd
here and there, II was said, to raise
the price OF fuel, but information con-
corning them was turned over TO the
proper state or municipal authorities
as the alleged combinations were 10.
cal in character So far the depart.
ment's inquiry has shown there ex.
isted no widespread general con.
spiracy to advance prices.
Officials reached the conclusion that
mic one and that the rise in the prices
Of some OF the chief staples was due
in large measure to the heavy drain
81 Europe on the American supply. In
ibis list were placed, wheat and other
grain, -four. sugar and meats. Many
thousands tons OF meats Of all sorts
have been purchased in Chicago by
buyers for the entente governments.
il was said, sufficient to cause an
actual shortage and resultant price in.
ereases in this country.
Urge Rulings Broadened.
Chicago, Feb. 24.-Relef from the
tar shortage prevailing throughout
The country will result il the demands
Of railroad car inspectors and fore
men are compiled with by the Inter
state Commerce commission, in the
opinion Of members Of the Car Fore
men and Inspectors association, who
met informally here today
AT this meeting resolution was
adopted asking the commission to
broaden its rulings SO that damaged
% broken cars or cars without the
required federal safety appliances may
be returned to their respective owners.
without delay, instead Of being held
on sidings oil foreign roads to be re-
paired by them at the expense OF the
owning road. 1t was asked also that
the time limit for cquipping freight
and other cars with the federal safety
appliances be extended from July |.
1917. when the new law becomes eff
fectiyc, until July /, 1918.
More Fighting in Philadelphia.
] Philadelphia, Pa, Feb. 24-Fre-
r~-nt scrimmages between police and