The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-21
HIGH COST OF
LIVING ATTACKED
CONTINUED from page -

for the conference with the mayor
The Mothers Anti-Hfgh Pric
league committee was not the on
asked to return to the city hall te
day when the demonstration occurre'
yesterday. The mayor planned t
dispose Of all complaints at the sam
time.
| Mayor Mitchell this Afternoon
promised to do all In his power t
cope with the advances In foot
| prices which have resulted In foot
riots in the east side.
Women who called on him demand
4 ing action today, threatened Il
.'staTvs on the city hall steps un
less he took some action in the foOt
price situation.
Mitchell said he would order the
department of charities and the board
| OF public health to make an imme
date investigation, results OF which
would be reported to the board Of
estimates at it's meeting Friday. AT
this meeting the women were asked
! to present an outline OF what they
would like to see done to relieN
food conditions.
The meeting of the mayor and
women was most dramatic. Poorly
clad, with tears streaming down their
faces, little children in their arms,
they told the city's executive they
would send some OF their number to
starve on the city hall steps unless
he gave them some relief from the
food prices.
One by one they took their turns
in telling their troubles. Some spoke
in English and others in 1iddlsh,
through an interpreter.
Mrs Ida Harris, who led several
hundred women in an assault upon
the city hall yesterday, started the
speechmaking when she cried:
1--WE want justice and mercy. We
come to you because all the people
elected you. We are good American
citizens. Our sons would be willing
and eager to fight Americas battles,
but they can't do it il they first
starye to death. We deserve and we
demand better treatment"
Marie CAM, Sweet Marie" told
the mayor that many persons are
starving to death every day in New
York.
Mayor Mitchell suggested to his
visitors that they write personal let
tiers to their congressman or repre-
sentatives in the state legislature,
making suggestions.
Congress 70 Take Action.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-President
Wilson is determined congress shall
pass Immediately the 100000 appro-
priation which the federal trade com,
mission has requested for the nation
wide food price probe he directed the
commission and the department OF az
riculture to make.
1t was stated officially at the white
house today that the president will
give his personal attention toward
| forcing congress into line behind his
food probe suggestion. He made this
decision following receipt OF news Of
New York food riots.
| AS a result, administration leaders
in congress today began lining NJ
forces to compel congressional &C
quiesence.
| Representative Borland, in the
house and Senator Borah, in the sen
ate, are expected to lead the fight with
the charge tat there is universal con
viction that food prices are subject to
| widespread manipulation.
Senator Borah today demanded
that congress remain in session until
adequate steps are taken to bring
prices back to normal.
Congress cannot adjourn" Borah
said, so long as 1t is possible for US
| to be of any service In this deplorable
situation.
1--WE want bread was the cry OF
| the French revolutionists as they
marched to ersailles," said Borah
"It Is the most ominous cry that can
| be heard in republic and whatever
is said as to the effect of the war on
prices, the fact remains these people
are in large measure the victims OF
spectators and combinations which
are mincing millions out Of food.
| There Is at the bottom OF things no
Justification for this condition. Con
gress cannot ignore the cries of the
hungry. The situation must be met
at once"
The federal trade commission has
detailed plans completed for sweep
ing investigation into the New York
and Chicago food markets, as soon as
congress grants the necessary money
Bread and meat prices-and the
possibility Of their manipulation-will
be the first line Of attack.
Under present plans, grand jury In
vestigations are to be carried on 81
simultaneously.
| More Gardens Needed.
| KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Feb. 21.-
Every man his own gardner"
1t was apparent here today that this
was Kansas City's new slogan in the
fight to bring down high food prices.
Put idle hands to work on every
vacant lot in Kansas City, every house
holder at a bit Of gardening in his
own back yard, and you'll forget about
high prices" one H. c. Of L. pugilist
| declared today.
Real estate men, relief commissions.
| charity organizations. the city council
and property owners, are pledging sup.
port in the new effort to bring down
prices.
| This move has followed quickly the
! city ordinance compelling grocers to
| sell eggs, fruit and vegetables by
weight instead of by the dozen. Gro
GERS complained today that the new
Lev a.