The Sentinel=record., 1917-02-25

Washington, Feb 2f.--Continued i'm provement in the ear shortage situa- ton, the dispatch of many trains of box cars for the transportation of foodstuffs for eastern cities, proposals in congress looking toward the use of various remedies, including an expert embargo on food, and continued activ. ity at the department of justice were among today's developments in the federal government consideration of the nationwide rise in the prices of necessities. The Interstate Commerce Commission issued d statement ex- pressing its confidence in the ear service commission of the American Railway Association, representing all the railroads of the country and say ing the organization was doing much "eNcelient Wcrk in the interest of the general public
 The ear service commission, repeat ing ifs decla aiions that the rp3ds are not to blame through car shortage or congestion for the rise in prices. an nounced no embargo whatever had been placed by the carriers. the state ment added, had been directed to give special attention to the prompt move ment of food supplies
 telegraphie request to all roads in the country was issued by the car service commission requesting infor- nation as to emDargoes on all classes of freight effective at midnight Friday in order that the commission might deal more intelligently with the situa- ton.
 Congestion at Buffalo Columbus, Pitisburg, Detroit, Cleevland and Chi. cago was reported to have been per ceptibly relieved by Interstate Com merce Commission investigators, and prompt steps involving the dispatch of hundreds of empty box cars for fur ther relief of the situation at Chicago were taken by the railroads. Federal grand juries at New York, Chicago and Boston. upon direction of the at tcrney general to United States attor-
 
 consider with painstaking care all eyi- dence relating to possible conspiracies to advance prices Further plans of the department of justice looking to relief of the situation were said to be pro- aressing but their nature was not dis closed and officials declined to lntt' mate if they concerned the prescott tion of persons suspected of conspir- ing to advance prices or to the draft ing of remidial legislation.
 An unusual incident in connection with the situation was prayer for relief Cf the food situation delivered in the house by Chaplain Couden, who asked that the authorities in state and nation might find ways to bring prices within reach of the needy X virtual food dictatorship ill the capital was proposed by Representative Bennett eff New York in a joint resolution which would empower the District of Columbia health department to limit the amount of food consumed at public dinners" or served to any person in the District within 24 hours. The meas ure was referred to a committee,
 Addressing the house in opposition fo an amendment which would put into the sundry civil appropriation bill the SlO0.O00 item for the trade com mission investigation. Representative Fitzeerald declared that the food sit uation had shown the incapaeity of congress to deal with the most vital problem affecting the American peo- pie today ,,
 "The riots which have taken place he said. "are not the riots or the thriftless and the worthless. It IS the outraged and indignant protest ot the thrifty. the industrious and the frugal who cannot meet the demands Tor me priees of food that now exist.
 And now when the people are com pelled to struggle and fight and oe' come disorderly for food 1t IS suggest ed that we spend siOo,0o0 and take eiehts months time in order to ma