Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-24
START PLANS TO.
LOWER COST Of
FOODS IN U. S.
Government and Big Cities
Uniting in Sweeping In
vestigations. ;,
SPECTATORS TO
BE FERRETED OUT
Chicago and New York take
Steps to Bring About
Better Conditions.

Washington, Feb. 24.-Nearly every
government department was devoting
energies today to searching for the
cause OF the sudden rise in food and
fuel prices or to seeking remedies.
Most cabinet members were inclin-
and freight congestions were RESPONSE
BILE, and that those conditions were
brought on largely by the suspension
Of many trans-Atlantic sailings on ac-
count of the German submarine cam
paign, or by withdrawal OF vessels
from trade between tho Atlantic and
Pacific coasts through the Panama ca
nal.
Tho Interstate Commerce commits
sion and the Car Service commission
Of the American Railway association
held that no food shortage is appar-
ont, and that investigators must look
elsewhere than toward the country's
distributing system for the cause of
high prices.
Interstate Commerce commission
reports showed that hundreds Of emp
ty freight cars are being dispatched
westward to relieve the shortage in
the interior, but that export freight Is
piling up rapidly In eastern ports.
Railroads have reports from their
own cooperative organization. the
car service commission, not to declare
Chicago After Speculators.'
Chicago, Feb. GA food census of
Chicago was started today by the po-
'Yorestalling ordinance" which for
bids the storing of food in warehous-
90 for the purpose Of keeping it off
tho market and thus raising the price
to the consumer.
Police were instructed to call at the
n large cold storage warehouses and
obtain a statement Of the amount of
ago. With this Information the police
believe it will be possible to determine
to what extent food spectators and
mAnipulators are. responsible for the
high prices OF food materials. ~.
:. The federal authorities also con-
tinue an Investigation into the food
situation. United States District Attor-
ney q. N. Clyne made the announce
rnent that agents Of the department OF
s. justice are seeking evidence on which
srand jury indictments will be
brought IL conspiracies to corner
food supplies are found.
The car shortage situation has not
Improved in this city at least as far
as it concerned grain shipments. One
yesterday because Of a lack Of cars
and 1t was said four elevators of q
large grain house would probably be
shut down during the day. y.
Relief in New York.
New York, Feb. 24.-Relief is now
IN sight for the poor of New York city
who have been suffering from the high
price Of food. Spurred by riots, boy
colts and mass appeals the city gov
ernment and wealthy citizens have
taken action designed not only to ease
the present situation, but provide for
tho future.
Tho most definite measure is the
purchase Of large quantity Of food
which will be brought here for dis
tribution at the lowest possible price.
Geo. w. Perkins, chairman of the
mayors committee on food supply. an
nounced that action had begun to
poDularise rice az a substitute for
moro costly foods. To keep down the
price Of rice the committee has bought
four million pounds.
No Relief. He Says.
Chicago. Feb. 24.-Although q few
cars Of grain were being loaded for
the east hero today President Grif-
An Of the board Of trade said no SUBJ
stAnttAl relief from the car shortage
was in sight for Chicago today.