davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11

tionable whether any single agency OF
the government at present possesses
the requisite power and equipment 70
secure the information needed 20 en-
able both public and private instru-
mentalities 10 render their fullest SER
vice to the people.
at is obvious that there vii, be no
sufficient incentive TO enlarge produc-
ton il there does not exist an unoo-
structed and economical system OF dis
tribution. Unjusti6able fluctuations IN
prices are not merely demorallzlng;
they inevitably deter adequate produe-
ton.
Trade Restriction Charged
at has been alleged before commit
tees of Congress and elsewhere tina.
the course of trade in important 1000
products is not free, but IS restricted
and controlled by artificial and illegal
means. IL is of the highest public con-
Germ to ascertain the truth or falsity
of these allegations. No business can
be transacted effectively in an atmos-
phere of suspicion. II the allegations
are we'll grounded. it is necessary that
the nature and extent Of the evils and
abuses be accurately determined, go
that proper remedies. legislative or ad-
ministrative, may be applied. II they
are not true, it is equally essential
that the public be informed, so that
unrest and dissatisfaction may be
allayed.
ain any event, because Of the grave
public interest which the food supply
affects, the efficient performance OF
the duties imposed upon agencies OF
the government requires that all the
pertinent facts be ascertained. To this
end. the powers of such agencies
should be made adequate, If in any
respect they are now deficient.
Pursuant 70 the authority conferred
upon me by the act creating the Fed
eral Trade Commission, therefore, l
direct the commission, within the
scope of its powers to investigate and
report the facts relating TO the pro
duction, ownership, manufacture, stor-
age and distribution OF foodstuffs and
the products or 5y-products arising
from or in connection with their pre-
paration and manufacture; 10 ascertain
the facts bearing on alleged violations
of the antitrust acts, and particularly
upon. the question whether there are
manipulations, controls, trusts, COM
binations, conspiracies or restraints of
trade out of harmony with the law or
the public interest.
Has Additional Authority
81 am aware that the commission has
additional authority in this field
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11

ton whether there are manipulations,
controls, trusts, combinations. con-
spiracies or restraints OF trade out of
harmony with the law or the public
interest"
To carry out the Presidents direc-
ton, the commission, at his request,
will at once submit an estimate 70 Con-
gress for an appropriation, TO become
Immediately available.
Secretary of Agriculture to Aid
The President has directed the De-
partment Of Agriculture to cooperate
with the commission in this invsstigs-
ton. In conference this morning
with the Secretary of Agriculture the
commission discussed the necessary
preliminaries TO an immediate inquiry.
President Wilson's letter 10 Chair
man Harris of the Trade Commission
follows:
IAN adequate supply of food prod
ucts is a matter of concern 20 the ma
ton at ali times. It is Of peculiar i'm
portance at present. Our domestic
food supply is normally very large and
has become increasingly varied. In
some respects il has steadily expanded
and has kept pace with the increasing
population. Unfortunately, this Is not
true, however, of q large number OF
important staple products, including
certain cereals, and particularly meats
while the population OF the natlon
has increased 26,000,000 since 1910, the
production Of the two leading cereals,
corn and wheat, while tending 20 IN
crease, has shown only slight ad
vance; and that of the meat products
in the same period has shown an in.
crease of only $500, 100000 pounds,
decrease of 29 pounds per capita.
Problems of Distribution
Much can be done and is being done
TO change this situation through i'm
proved methods of production and
through the control or eradication OF
plant and animal diseases. But there
are problems also Of distribution; and,
in some respects, the problems pre-
sented in this field are the more diff
cult. Only recently have official agen-
cies been created 20 deal systematical-
ly with this side of the difficulty. Much
work has Been done and, considering
the limited nature Of the powers under
which it has been conducted, no little
headway has been made, particularly
In obtaining and diffusing useful in
formation.
Nevertheless, II Ia not yet clear In
many directions Just what the nature
Of the difficulty is or what measures
should be adopted to effect funda-
mental improvements. Many necessary
facts are not available, and 1t is cues
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11

through the power conferred upon Il 70
prevent certain persons, partnersnlps
or corporations from using Unfair
methods of competition IN commerce.
! presume that you may see mt 70
exercise that authority, upon your own
initiative. without direction from me.
"The Department Of Agriculture has
been engaged for several years IN
studying problems Of distribution.
have noted that it has been proposed
in the Congress 70 add TO the FUNDS
of the department and give It larger
powers TO conduct its Investigation. As
It's activities will touch phases OF the
problem | am calling 20 your attention
which NAV not be covered by your IN
quirv. and may furnish information OF
great Importance for the purposes con-
templated, | shall direct that depart
ment 20 cooperate with you IN tnis
enterprise.
For the adequate prosecution OF the
inquiry by both your commission and
the Department OF Agriculture 1t II
essential that sufficient funds be avail
able. accordingly request that you
furnish me at the earliest possioie
moment an estimate for an sppropris-
ticp. II one is needed, 70 supplement
existing appropriations, 70 enable gov
successfully to carry out the investiga-
ton.
"A copy Of this letter is being sent
N the Secretary of Agriculture, win
the direction that his department CO.
operate with you and with the request
that he furnish an estimate FOR the
furds needed by his department.
t--os ;n Eoo1 Stocks
Increases during January, ranging
from I 20 IA per cent, in dealers stocks
OF frozen beef. frozen pork, dry SAT-
pork, sweet picked pork and lard, are
shown in the monthly figures on these
stocks made public to-day by the De-
partment of Agriculture. During the
month stocks of cured beef and frozen
lamb and UttOn decreased. ~
Compared with February /, lsloi
stocks of frozen beef increased 34'a
per cent; cured beef increased oo:S per
cent; frozen pork decreased 20 pei
cent; dry sSlt pork increased 81 PEI
cent; sweet picked pork increased -
ner cent; lard decreased 81 per cent
and frozen lamb and mutton decreased
1921 per cent.
TIE report shows that as compared
with January 1, 1917, stocks increased
as follows: Frozen beef, l.3 per cent;
frozen pork, 1o.2 per cent; dry SaL'
pork, "a per cent? sweet picked poFih
ia per cent; lard, 81 per cent, wnlle
cured beef decreased 7.6 per cent sno
frozen lamb and mutton. 25.s per cent
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
100000 FIRE
HITS ARMS PLANT
Union Switch and Signal
Officials Blame Sponta-
neOuS Combustion

Pittsburgh. Feb. i0.-The machine
shop building Of the Union Switch and
Signal Company. the largest plant FOR
manufacturing switch signals in the
United States, and until recently en-
gagged in filing foreign munition or
der, was destroyed by fire early to-
night, with a loss estimated at $4,000
900. The cause Of the fire has not been
determined, although officials Of the
company believe it resulted from spon-
taneous combustion.
The blaze started In the packing de-
partment OF the plant, which is az
Swissvale, a suburb. Famed by a high
wind, the fire gained rapid Roadway.
For more than half an hour il was i'm
possible to throw any water on the fire
because Of frozen water plugs. Finally
a line Of hose was run 10 the Swiss
vale reservoir.
The machine shop building covered
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
Submarine Expert De-
clares 10 Light Craft Hunt
Each Sub-Sea Boat
HARD TO NAVIGATE
BENEATH SURFACE
U. S. Now Holds Type of
Pursuer Used by the
British Navy
by nslssrsuo 70 ms rsibune ]

New London, Conn, Feb. 10.-Ten
British submarine chasers can take the
sea for every U-bost Germany can send
out, even under the most favorable cir
cumstanees, according to the reckoning
OF Gregory c. DAWSON, vice-president
Of the New London Ship and Engine
/ Company and the New London Electric
Boat Company.
/ Mr.. Dawson, who is an expert on
submarine matters, said to-day that IL
Germany concentrated her efforts on
the construction of submarines she
might turn out 400 a year. He does
not believe that Germany has built
that many nor does he think it likely,
as some estimates have IL, that Ger
msny's U-boat feet numbers between
| 400 and 500.
Great Britain, ne said, probably had
1000 trawlers and other craft suitable
for hunting submarines. Such a feet
patrolling the dancer zone would make
1t difficult for U-bost to lift its hull
above the water without getting Q shell
through II, Mr.. Dawson declared.
5 tie pointed out that a submarine
could not remain under water for any
considerable period unless it lay mo-
tionless. The power Of its storage bat
teries limited its underwater activity
he said, and while q submarine could
hide for a week below the surface, II
might exhaust It's batteries in a single
our If running at full speed.
Plans and specifications used in max
lng 500 submarine chasers for the Brit
ssh government have been given to the
Navy Department by Henry r. Sutphen.
vice president of the Elco Company of
Bayonne. They will be used in deve
oping a type of craft suitable for SINH
ar work IN American waters.
The boats are eighty feet over all, OF
IN feet beam and AZ feet draught
Each is driven by a pair Of Standard
yasolene engines Of $50 horsepower,
capable of nineteen knots.
Actual experience has demonstrat.
d. Mr.. Sutphen said, that this type
+ boat is the only one that can sue
.'ssfully combat the severe sea tests
found in waters about the British Isles
I'd carry the naval equipment to fit
EN- for the service for which they
are Intended. No one can say Just how
any German submarines have chen
1aptured in British waters, but the
small surface vessel seems TO be the
best present means of meeting the sub
marine menace
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
MISS ELEANOR FOX FAILS
TO BREAK SENATOR'S WILL
hrs. katherine O'Brien Wins Estate OF
Uncle by Courts Order


Uncle by Courts Order
Miss Eleanor Byrne FoI's suit to set
aside the will Of her grandfather, SEN
ator John Fox, was decided yesterday
morning in favor Of the defendant, Mrs.
Katherine Hogan O'Brien, by direction
Of Justice Hotchkiss.
At 3 a. m. the jury was still dead
locked, and the justice, called from his
home an hour before TO decide CUES
ton raised in the jury room, ordered
verdict for Mrs. O'Brien, who is execu-
trlx.
Miss Fox, twenty years old, alleged
in her action that her grandfather was
prejudiced against her and her father
John Fox, jr. She claimed that THIS
prejudice was fostered by Mrs. O'Brien,
the testator's housekeeper and niece.
Senator Fox left the bulk OF his
estate TO Mrs. O'Brien. He also left
trust fund, the income Of which will be
enjoyed by the O'Brien children. unless
/ Miss Fox marries and has children. The
fund will become hers under those
I circumstances.
Among the witnesses who testified
for Mrs. OBrien at the trial were Jus
/ tice Platzek, of the Supreme Court
I District Attorney Swami and honsignor
Layelle
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11

45o,e00 square feet. Il contained the
emergency hospital, packing room, ex.
perimoatal department and general
msehine shops. More than 1000 shells
In the packing room awaiting shipment
probably were destroyed. .st
According 10 the president Of the
company, A. L. Humphrey, no shells
had been Manufactured at the plant
sirce last November. The Union switch
and Sigma! Company. which was found
ed by he late George Westinghouse sn
1881. wss recently taken over by the
W~st;nghouse Airbraks Company.
United States Marshal Joseph How
ley announced tonight that investiga-
ton OF the origin Of the fire would be
made by agents Of the Department Of
Justice.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
GERMAN CRISIS WILL NOT
HALT SUNDAYS CAMPAIGN
Evangelist TO Preach Hero Even IL War
II Declared

War would make no difference in the
Rev. Billy Sundays plans for cam,
paign in New York. il was announced
yesterday. The EvanEciistic Associs-
ton, in making the announcement
quoted the following statements when
the Rev. Billy made in the Buhalo TAD
ernacle after tho dismissal OF Ameas-
ssdor Won BernstorH; -.
I'VE have ceased to be Republicans
We have ceased to be Democrats or Pro-
gressives. We have ceased to be Eng
iish or German or French or Italian.
We must all be Americans, single N our
faith and allegiance 20 America.
There are loo, 900 900 OF US, and We
40 not want war. But IL war must
come we are 10000, 900 people who viii
back the President to the last ditch and
10 the last man
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
JANIT0RS TO BE S0CIABIE
AND THEN FORM UNION

Take Out Papers TO Advance Kuowl-
edge In Economics"
Jsnitors have decided TO become
more socisble.
The Ofncs. Apartment and Tenemen.
House Janitors' and Helpers Protec.
tive Union was incorporated in the SD.
preme Court. The hrst and most inn
portane purpose of the new organizs-
ton, according to the petition pre-.
scented to Justice Finch, is "to cultivate
socisbility."
The rest Of the petition is not so
encouraging from the tenants and
landlords viewpoint, for the janitors
also announce their intention OF be-
coming trade unionists. They intend
20 advance the standard Of knowledge
Of its members in political and eco
nomic subjects,' and ITO promote the
general welfare Of the janitors and
helpers by teaching them the theory
and practice Of labor unionism.7
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
Fingerprints Identify Suicide

Rudolph Wesley, Of I'll Central Ave
nue., Brooklyn, was the man who killed
himself by leaping from the williams
burg Bridge last Thursday. This was
proved yesterday by the Angerprint
records of the Police Department. By
these IL was learned that Wesley had
made anothar attempt at suicide in the
same manner June rs, 1915. He was
captured before he jumped.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
FAMILY OF EIGHT NEEDS 500
Father Dead, Insurance Exhausted,
Mother and Children Require Aid

Mr.. d. died Of tuberculosis three
months ago. Since then his wife and
seven young children have lived on the
small insurance money he len, but now
that Is exhausted and they are penni-
less. Mrs. D. cannot 60 out TO work
because OF her large family. The homo
Is a good one and should not be broken
up because Of poverty alone
One hundred dollars Is needed imme-
dia.ely to provide q weekly allowance
for the next few months. Large or
small contributions toward this fund
should he mailed to the Brooklyn Blu
reau Of Charities, SO Schermerhorr
Street, Brooklyn, marked "For o3o5
TR"
Evening star., 1917-03-08
Officials Inspire Visit.

\ number of non union men planned to
go to the conference this afternoon
The union men asserted that their visit
was inspired by officials of the COM
pany. and they charged that one divi-
sion superintendent had sought to
make up a committee and had invited
a union man to join it. President King
said that non-union men had called on
their own account, some of them COM
ing earlier in the day, and he stated:
There seems to be considerable dis
sension among the men about the
activities of the union. some of them op-
posing what they feel is outside domi-
nation"
Mr.. Wilburt. representing the Wash
ington division of the amalgamated as
sociation, and Edward McMorrow, or
ganizer of the national body called at
the White House executive offices today
in an endeavor to have either President
Wilson or Secretary Tumulty interest
themselves in the cause of the men.
They We're received by Mr.. Tumulty,
who explained to them that the PresI-
dent is i'll and that no business matters
are being taken up by him.
Mr.. Wilburt denied being at the
White House, when asked about his
visit later. stating he had no business
with either President Wilson or Sec
retary Tumulty.
Evening star., 1917-03-08
Action Deemed Significant.

The action of the union in sending its
representatives. to the conference this
afternoon was considered significant.
because it emphasizes the demand of
the men. made in their proposals sub
mitted to both companies. that their
union be recognized, and that future
agreement be settled by a commit
tee from the union in conference with
officials of the roads.
Another conference was held with ]. H.
Hanna. general manager of the Capital
Traction Company, this morning at 10
o'clock. 1t was pointed out that the COM
nittee which has been in conference al
most daily with Mr.. Hanna and with
George Il. Hamilton, president of the
road. is a union committee. and not the
grievance committee named under the
agreement now in effect The COMMITTEES
of the Capital Traction employees is made
up of J. H. Goodman. w. B. Pollitt and
W. J. Meyerhoffer. The grievance COM
Evening star., 1917-03-08

PLENTY OF SUGAR SENT
HERE, SAYS Mr.. BABST
Head of American Refining Com
pany So Telegraphs to Sem
ator Thomas.

Senator Thomas of Colorado has
received kilograms from Earl D.
Babst. president of the American
Sugar Refining Company, which
state that large quantities of sugar
have been shipped to Washington
within the last ten days and that
there should be no sugar shortage
in the capital.
A telegram received by Senator
Thomas March 2 from Babst said in
the four days prior to that date the
company had shipped to Washing
ton total of 6S5,000 pounds of
sugar, which is equivalent to the
average deliveries of the company
to Washington for an entire month.
and is the equivalent of twenty car
loads. Mr.. Babst said that the records
showed on March at least twelve
cars had arrived in Washington
Evening star., 1917-03-08
AMERICANS LEAVE
BELGIUM At WILL
No Longer Detained by Ger
mans, Minister Brand Whit
lock Has Reported.
SAILORS DUE FREE TODAY

Americans in Belgium are no longer
detained in any sense by the German
military authorities, according to
final report received at the State De-
partment today from Minister Brand
Whitlock at Brussels.
The dispatch stated that some sub
ordinate officials in Belgium had pre-
vented Americans from leaving imme-
diately after the severance in relations,
for lack of orders whether to hold them
or not. The difficulty has all been
straightned out, Mr.. Whitlock reported,
and Americans are free to come and
go as before the severance in relations.
Apart from the forty Belgian relief
workers very few other Americans are
in Belgium.
Evening star., 1917-03-08
FIGHTS TO GET THAW.
New York Appeals for Representa-
ton at Sanity Hearing.

NEW YORK, March S.-Refusal of the
attorneys who are seeking to have
Harry X. Thaw adjudged insane to
allow representatives of the state OF
New York to be present at the exami-
nation into Thaw's sanity in Philadel-
phia next Monday has resulted in an
appeal by District Attorney Swami to
Gov. Brumbaugh of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Swami announced today he had
requested the governor to allow New
York state representatives to appear in
the proper court before Thaw's sanity
is passed upon and show why Thaw
should be returned here to answer the
assault charge against him.
The district attorney said he realized
if Thaw is adJudged insane the matte
of the people of New York versus Harry
X. Thaw will be settled for all time"
Evening star., 1917-03-08
mittee was composed Of the first two men
and Harry L. White the union men state.
Optimistic as to Progress,

Optimistic as to Progress.
Both Mr. Hanna and members of the
employees committee came away from
today's conference with optimistic ex-
pressions about the progress they were
making.
I'VE are making every effort to ad-
Just this matter before Sunday night,
when the agreement expires" said Mr.
Hanna. II believe the prospects for
settlement are bright There is nothing
definite to say yet; more conferences
are to be held
!. n. Goodman of the employees COM
mittee. stated that the conferences
were progressing satisfactorily.
There was a report today that a mass
meeting of union men would be called
some time the latter part of this week to
decide on what action they will take if
an agreement is not reached by Sunday
night, when the present agreement, form
ed following the street car strike of last
year. expires.
Mr.. Wilburt. who has power to call such
a meeting. today said that no definite
plans for one had yet been made. Off1-
cialS of the union admitted that there
are tentative plans for meeting ana
said the calling of one would be depend. T..
ent to some extent upon the outcome OF
the conference the union men hold with
President King of the Washington Rall-
way and Electric Company this alter
noon.
Evening star., 1917-03-08
Anxious to Present Case.

Union men have been active in seeking
to present their case to public officials,
It was learned today. The calls upon
Commissioner Newman yesterday by
MIR. Wilburt and Mr.. Goodman. and the
call at the White House today by Mr..
Wilburt and Mr. McMorrow. were in line
with these efforts to present the union
demands to public officials.
The union men carefully avoid any
mention of strike. They insist the
only mention of a strike has come from
persons outside their ranks. But not
all of them are enthusiastic about the
prospect FOR an agreement.
They take issue with President
Kings statement. contained in The Star
of yesterday. that the union represents
only some conductors and motormen.
and that the sympathies of employees
other than these. and even some of the
Evening star., 1917-03-08
UNION MEN SEEKING
KINGS RECOGNITION
Grievance Committee, Ad-
dressed by w. R. & E. Head,
Not Sent to See Him.
RECEPTION is IN DOUBT

Union employees of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company this
afternoon took a step toward getting
recognition Tor their union when they
sent TO 4 conference with Clarence p.
King president of that company, a
committee from Division $50 of the
Amalgamated Association of Street and
Electrical Railway Employees of Amer
lea, instead of the grievance committee
to which Mr.. King yesterday addressed
a letter stating the hour for the con-
ference.
This committee was made up of
George y. Wilburt. John w. Cain and
". T. Slater. all employees of the COM
pany. The grievance committee. named
under the present agreement, to which
Mr.. King addressed the letter stating
he would confer with employees today,
is composed of Mr. Wiiburt, Harry +.
Jones and Frank NJ. Thompson.
The union committee expressed mis-
givings about their reception by Presi-
dent King. Mr.. King stated earlier in
the day, however. that he would re-
ceivc any oue.In the employ of the COM
pany. IN line with the notice posted
yesterday in all the car barns
Evening star., 1917-03-08
GERMANY MAY MAKE
HER PEACE TERMS KNOWN

HAVRE. France, March S-The Ger
man government. according to informa-
tion received here through confidential
agents. is considering the publication
of Germany's terms of peace.
Under these terms Belgium would be
declared independent, subject only to
permanent German garrisons at Ant
werp. Liege and Namur and to the
control by Germany of ports and rail-
ways. Belgium, under the terms, would
have no national army. but would be
policed by gendarmerie.