Evening journal., 1918-03-09
SENATORS DEKOUNCE
FIXING OF Prices
Bulletin Making Rate on
Tomatoes TO be
Investigated
SALISBURY AUTHOR
OF RESOLUTION

WASHINGTON, March 9-In the
midst Of a sharp attack upon prlce-nx-
ing by the government, the Senate yes
terday adopted a resolution offered by
Senator Salisbury, Of Delaware, presi-
dent pro tenn, asking the food admins
tration for It's authority In Issuing an
official bulletin requesting bids at ilx-
ed prices on tomatoes for the army and
navy.
"The food administration has pervert-
cd his power under the licensing sec
tion, so that farmers in my State cam
not even sell a hen" said Senator Sauls-
bury.
Mr.. Hoover personally disclaimed any
effort 10 nx prices, Senator WOlcott, Of
Delaware said. but he coniended the ef-
feet, although the food administration
merely submitted prices agreed upon by
army and navy supply purchasing bu-
reaus, Is actual price fixing. Senator
Wolcott charged the food adminlstra-
Hon Is In fact fixing prices for farm
products, prohibiting grOcers from
buying poultry, for instance, before a
certain date.
"They are dolng the same thing with
other products, entering on a prlce-tX-
ing possibly not technically,
but IN effect" said Senator Borah
'They have no authority 90 flX prices
but they flxed 10 for sugar" said Sena-
tor Lodge. Of Massachusetts,. "They
said it was a voluntary agreement Of
the relners, but they managed 10 lx
IT,"
The bulletin which Senator sauls-
bury attacked was as follows;
In all industries the army and navy
are operating under well-recOgnized
principles in securing reasonable prices
as applying to all war requirements.
In connection with The tenders on
tomatoes, the army and navy state that
they are unwarranled in making any
awards for canned tomatoes, catsup,
other tomato products, based on raw
material prices IN excess Of the FOL.
lowing:
In Pennsylvania Maryland Della
ware, and New Jersey, S2i per ton
Congressional rumblings against ar
bltrary dictatorship IN any form broke
out In the Senate Just before adjourn
ment tonight at the close Of an inn
promptu and impassiOned speech by
Senator Reed. Of Missouri, directed
against the fuel and food administra-
tiOns.
Unless food producers are allowed
90 run their business as their expert
ence has taught them il can best be
run, we will indeed have compulsory
rationing In America said the Senator.
UNLESS discouragements are removed
from our producers and they are given
some definite knowledge of where they
stand Garfield holidays viii be the rule
instead Of an alarming exception"
After drawing a distinction between
what he termed arbitrary authority,
which interferes with the law OF sup
ply and demand. and legislation care
fully framed 30 restrain dishonesty and
prohteering, Senator Reed asserted that
both Hoover and GARFIELD are enemies
OF public welfare
"They have usurped power" he said
"Congress has passed no legislation
which could possibly be construed as
sanctioning the cast Of these dictators.
With all the sincerity Of my being, !
warn you gentlemen that we are play
Ing with fire and that IN this crucial
time we cannot afford TO have The
enemy OF our people dampened by the
far-reaching results Of the arbitrary
acts Of theorists"
In the course Of his speech, Senator
Reed used much material gathered at
the sugar and coal shortage investiga-
ton OF the Senate manufacturers sub
committee, of which he was chairman.
He declared "blunders and mistakes
are now being made by men who are
so utterly ignorant Of the laws OF
trade, commerce and production" that
"eyery day they continue 10 exercise
the powers they are reducing The force
and poteniiaity Of the United States"
Senator Thomas, OF Colorado, Demo-
crat, said an order effectlng the coal
mines Of Colorado, effective March A.
and which reduces the price Of coal
from 20 nts 10 si20 a ton on all
grRdes exc pt one, produced in that
State will esult 10 a reduction In coal
production in that State. He declared
that many miners viii be forced ia
shut down 4 the order becomes opera
tive or tho government must operate
them.