The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-02-23
FOOD RIOTS Are
PROMOTED, VIEW
AT US. CAPITAL
Nationwide Search Begun to
Learn If Suspicious Are
Correct.

Washington, Feb 23.-Government
activities Yesterday to discover the
origin and cause and prescribe a rem
edy for bread riots occurring in New
York and other large centres were as
follows:
1. Nationwide investigation by the
Department of Justice Of reports re-
garded as reliable that the demon
STATIONS in New York and elsewhere
are being promoted by propagandlsts
OF the German government.
2. Diligent inquiry by the same de-
partment to uncover violations OF the
Sherman Antitrust Law in connec-
ton with the unwarranted increase OF
food prices to fix the responsibility
and bring the guilty persons to JUS
tice.
g. Introduction of resolution by
Meyer London, Socialist representa-
tive from New York, providing for the
creation of a Food Emergency Com
mission and appropriating 100000 for
it's use.
H. Presentation Of resolutions for
embargoes on food products by Rep
resentatives Bailey, Democrat, OF
Pennsylvania, and Siegel, Republican,
of New York.
By far the most important move by
the government related to the alleged
undertakings of the persons response
BILE for organizing the demonstrations
in New York, Philadelphia and other
cities. Reports Of the activities Of
several men who are believed to have
arranged these demonstrations reached
the Department Of Justice several days
ago. The Identities of some Of these
men have been establiShed.s
A preliminary investigation made by
the department has justified its agents
in privately asserting there is a direct
connection. between the promoters of
the so7calIed food riots and the Ger
man propaganda in this country. The
operations of the men under suspicion
have been scrutinized by the agents of
the department for some time. InfQr-
nation regarding them is withheld for
the present.
One purpose of the plot to instigate
popular demonstrations against food
conditions is to make it appear that
these conditions are not any better
than those existing in Germany, and
Incidentally to create domestic fer
ment and turmoil designed to embar-
rass this government.
Reports to the government indicate
\ that the propagandists have seized
upon the avarice practiced by mid
dlemen and food spectators to or
ganize public demonstrators such as
have recently occurred.
Aim to Prevent Exports
Information reaching Washington
through responsible sources permits
Of little doubt in the minds of gov
eminent officials that the "bread
riots have been skilfully ''acceler-
ated" by intelligent German propa-
gandists in accordance with plan
carefully worked out. A feature of
this propaganda has been to create
situation in the food markets of this
country which will encourage legisla-
ton to prevent further exports of
food products to the enemies of Ger
many. 49,
Representatives of the Department
of Justice have been instructed to de-
termine whether or not these propa--
gandists have conspired against the
laws of the country. The instruc-
tons are most comprehensive, but
areemainly devoted to the effort to ex-
pose individuals who conceived and
executed the plot to promote the re-
cent demonstrations. The Depart
ment of Justice and the Secret Ser
vice branch of the Treasury Depart
ment are cooperating to this end.
President Personally Interested.
President Wilson is personally in
terested in the situation and has given
instructions to every agency Of the
government that it shall be put into
motion in an effort to expose the pro-
motors of the bread riots and to
check the further operations of food
gamblers
He has directed the Department Of
Agriculture to cooperate with the
Federal Trade Commission in an in
vestigation of every phase Of the food
problem. The two departments are
waiting for Congress to provide the
funds necessary to begin the work.
In the House ten members address,
ed a letter to their colleagues demand
ing immediate investigation into the
food situation. The letter, written
by Representative Borland of Mis-
souri,, was signed by Representatives
Kent of California, Doolittle of Kan
sas, Anderson Of Minnesota, Nelson of
Wisconsin, Lever of South Carolina,
Lenroot Of Wisconsin,, Mondell of
Wyoming, Garner Of Texas and Ste
phens Of Nebraska. These members
propose to press for an appropriation
at once to carry on the investigation
the President called for. Request
was made for 100000, the amount re-
quired under President Wilson's plan.
The Appropriations Committee now
has this under consideration.
Unless this sum is allowed by the
committee, Mr.. Borland intends to
ask for it as an amendments to the
Sundry Civil Bill, which will follow
the Army Bill on the floor of the
House.
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