The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-08-03
IMMEDIATE SALE OF ALL SURPLUS FOOD ORDERED BY
 WAR PARTMENT
of Pounds of Meat, Beans, Pumpkin and Other Commodities to Go on Sale Aug. IS Through
 Parcel Post
By Associated prss.

Washington, August 2.-In the face of growing unrest over the high cost of living, as indi- cated by the spreading strike of railroad workers, many gov ernment agencies moved to- day iii efforts to effect re- turn to normal price levels. Immediate sale of all surplus food stuffs purchased for the army instead of only canned goods, was ordered by The war department Millions of pounds of meat, beans pumpkin, squash and other commodities will be offered to the public Monday, August IS through the parce lpost system at prices materially lower than those now prevailing in the market
 Purchasers will have to pay postage Charges from the place of storage.
 Director General Hines, Commission CT Colver and Assistant Secretary Lef- tingwell. appointed by the conference assembled by Attorney General Palmer to recommend steps to reduce living costs, were engaged today in an ex- change of memoranda bearing on the problem The impression went out that the committee had agreed that steps could be taken by Congress which would alleviate the situation at once, but it was said at Mir. Hines of flee that nothing final had been de- cided uI on. The committee was in- structed particularly to deal with prof. iteering and to suggest how law en- forcement agencies should proceed to bring to justice men guilty of extor- tion through unreasonable prices.
 MAY START ON WHEAT
 If any recommendation is made to Congress it is most likely that it will deal with sale of the wheat crop at market prices and the absorption by the government of the loss between that price and the s2.26 guaranteed the farmer. Many officials have indicated that this is the most practicable step which would be taken and the one most likely to have an immediate ef- feet.
 Congress continued to discuss the living question and at the White House President Wilson was said to be re- ceiving full reports on all phases of it. The Senate adopted resolution ask ing the banking committee whether re- duction of the current imitation would help the situation. In the House an attempt to recess for two weeks was blocked by Representative Igoe. demo- crat of Missouri. because his resolu- tion to have the federal trade commits sion investigate the price of shoes was not acted upon. The new demands or railway employees for more wages to meet the high cost of living drew fire from Representative Blanton, democrat of Texas, who said the railroad men were acting like "highwaymen' in ar- tempting to obtain another unfair billion dollar raise.
 Introduction in the House of gov sernment ownership railroad bill, with the employees participating in the con trol and profits of the roads, was made the occasion of a statement by lead Sers of the four brotherhoods that the high cost of living demanded the oper- ation of the country's most important Industry flor service rather than foy profit, The statement declared that wage earners could never hope to gam a permanent victory in the economic Strife under present conditions because of the constantly growing cycle of prices based on wages and declared if was not money, but value which really counted Any basic change, it was ar gued, must commence with the rail- roads, the fundamental industry on which all others are dependent.