The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07
ORDERED
TOCURB PRICES
IS NATIONWIDE
Wilson to Call on Congress
to Hunt and Punish
Food Hoarders.
PALMER DIRECTS SUITS
First Drive Will Be Made on
Producers and Whole
Salers.
salers.
PALMER DIRECTS SUITS
Special Despatch to THE Sun.

Special Despatch to The Sun.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The Govern
nent launched its nation wide fight
against the high cost OF living to-day.
These were the developments:
Attorney General A. Mitchell
Palmer announced that antitrust
action was to be brought immedi--
ately against the big Five"
packers-Armour, Swift, Morris,
Wilson and Cudahy. The Federal
packing industry, alleging a mo-
nopoly of food products. are the
basis for the action to be taken.
United States Attorneys through
out the country were instructed to
drop all else and to centre their at
tention upon finding and prosecut-
ing food hoarders and profiteers.
President Wilson asked for the
convening OF a joint session of Con-
gress Friday afternoon at o'clock
that he might lay before it his
recommendations for further action
deemed necessary to meet the situ-
alton.
United States Attorneys were
instructed to initiate antitrust ac-
ton In all instances where such a
course was warranted with respect
to food or other commodities enter
ing into the cost of lifng. 1t was
indicated that many other anti
trust actions would be brought be-
fore the campaign was many days
older.
Retailers Not Discussed.
Attention was centred upon pro-
ducers and wholesalers. Profiteer-
ing involving retailers was not dis
cussed to-day II was stated
officially. 1t is inferred that addi-
tional legislation to reach the re-
tailers who may be guilty is to be
sought.
The railroad unions which pre-
cipitated the cost of living crisis
presented united demands for a
wage increase to Director General
Hines. This is the first time that
all organized railroad employees,
fourteen national unions, have acted
in concert
A host OF Government employees
was set at work compiling and
analyzing production costs and
figures on supply and demand Of
foodstuffs. All Government agen-
cies are cooperating in this work.
Antitrust action or actions agains
the big Five" packers were announces
by Attorney General Palmer in this state
ment:
The Department of Justice has
made careful review of the evil
dence developed by the investigat ton
Into the combination OF packers, both
by the Federal Trade Commission and
the hearings before the committees
Of Congress. This review has been
made by lawyers specially retained
for the purpose, and their report is
now in hand.
am satisfied that the evidence
adduced indicates q clear violation OF
the antitrust laws, and prompt action
will be taken accordingly. Further
proceedings while under the imme-
date direction OF the Department of
Justice. will be in charge of Isidor ].
Kresel OF the law firm of Jerome.
Rand & Kresel OF New York, who
will have such assistance as the case
seems to warrant
The Attorney-General then added:
Mr.. Kresel has n wonderful capaclt
for investigation. This was discovere
while he was doing special work 70
the Alien Property Custodian"
Mr.. Palmer said that Mr.. Kresel ha
authority to bring In Mr.. Jerome or an
one else he chose in the prosecution, an
that he was able to count upon the fu
cooperation OF Mr.. Jerome, a noted in
vestigator and former District Attorne,
Attorney General Palmer. who Is leud
ing the Administration fight, was In
belligerent mood to-day. There was n
mistaking that he WAS full of fight an
expectant OF big results. There wer
many indications OF startling develop
the public to-day.
People to Know Facts.
Mr.. Palmer said he thought II wa
very vital that the people OF the cour
try should know the facts as to a
prices entering into the high cost of liz
Ing that they might Judge for themselve
as to Justification for prices. The pee
pie, he said. should know productio
costs as we'll as selling prices.
The Attorney-G statement 10
lowed publication Of the Federal Trad
Commission report. declaring that boo
and shoe prices In the United State
were not Justified by costs or underl,
ing economic conditions. The report a
legged the packers had taken exceptions
rrofits on hides, that the tanners and a
others had done likewise right down |
the finished product placed in the hand
of the consumer. The conclusion wa
Continued on Second Paoe.