Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-27
FOOD INQUIRY
PROVIDED BY
LEGISLATURE
House Authorizes Governor
to Name Commission to
Report in Is Days
WOULD LET CITY SELL

HARRISBURG. Feb. 27-The foot
crisis was the principal object of Legislation
when the General Assembly reconvened anc
within thirty minutes the House Of Rep
resentstives did the following;
Heard read a message from the
Governor asking power TO appoint a
committee of citizens to investigate the
situation In this State and report to
the Legislature within fifteen days.
Passed a resolution introduced by
Mr.. Glass, Of Philadelphia authorizing
the Governor to appoint such COM
mission.
Passed a bill introduced by Mr.. Cox,
Of Philadelphia, giving the Philadelphia
city government the right to buy food
at wholesale and sell 1t to residents.
Received a resolution introduced by
Mr.. Boyer. of Philadelphia, providing
for the establishment of commission
of legislators to investigate the situa-
tion and directing the state Public
Service Commission to prove charges
that the railroads are responsible for
the food shortage.
Passed a resolution introduced by
Mr.. Black, of Harrisburg, directing the
Secretary of Agriculture to report be-
fore noon, Wednesday, full information
concerning the quantities OF food and
and information showing w!to Is enjoy
ing the benefits Of the current high
prices.
RULES SUSPENDED
The rules of the House were suspended in
the case Of the Cox bill, which was reported
from the Committee on judiciary Local at
once and passed on first reading. II will
be passed finally on wednesday and not
later than March 9 II should be passed by
the Senate and be on the Governors desk
90 that by March Is at the outside the
Philadelphia City Councils should have full
authority to appropriate money for the pur-
chase Of food to relieve the present situa-
tion.
The bill, after being passed by tho House
for the first time, was LAID over for second
reading tomorrow.
When the House met. Mr.. Glass, Philadel.
phla, presented a resolution. which was
passed Immediately empowering the Gov
ernor to name commission, to serve
without compensation ITO investigate and
report the cause or causes of the increase
in the cost of foodstuffs and other necessi-
ties of life"
The commission Is to be empowered to CO.
operate with similar bodies from other
States and to investigate. through market
ing or other facilities, the possibilities OF
reduction of cost. The commission is given
State. compel attendance Of witnesses. pro-
duction Of books and papers and certify 10
the courts the refusal OF any person 10
testify or comply with orders of the com.
mission. Courts are authorized to commit
such persons to prison for contempt,
Another resolution for an Investigation
Of the increased cost of foodstuffs was
presented by Mr.. Boyer. Philadelphia, which
calls for joint legislative committee, con-
sisting of three Senators and four Repre-
sentatives.
This committee is to make "a full. free
and unobstructed, comprehensive and i'm
partial investigation" and is given broad
powers, while the Dairy and Food Commits
sioner is to make careful inquiry through
his office of the cause of conditions" in
so far as the storage and speculative opera
lions within the State may or may not
affect the price of foodstuffs." He is to
report March |.
The State Public Service Commission Is
directed to inquire into certain charges that
the transportation companies are RESPONSE
bic for delaying or failing to promptly
foodstuffs and to report March
IL. with any suggestions.