Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-02
FEDERAL OFFICIALS
OUTLINE CAMPAIGN
TO CUT LIVING COST
Probe by Trade Commission,
Advocated by House ..s. -
Committee.
PRESIDENT NOW STUDYING
U. S. ECONOMIC SITUATION
Julius Barnes Added to Body
Working Under Direction of
Acknowledgement.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUSY
Prepares to Enforce Measures Against
Profiteering-Report Shows No -.
Relief in Sight.
PRESIDENT NOW STUDYING
U. S. ECONOMIC SITUATIONS
OF JUSTICE BUSY
LBy Associa ted Press.1

by associated Press.
WASHINGTON. August develops
ments today in the efforts of the gov
ernment to reduce the high cost OF
living we're: -.
The House, at the request of Presi-,
dent Wilson, agreed to defer it's planned
five weeks recess and consider de-
mands OF railroad employees for In
creased wages. ~
The Senate again discussed increased
living costs. but postponed action on
the Myers resolution proposing reduce
tion in currency circulation. --ey
The committee OF three, which ap-.
peared yesterday to consider means Of
reducing living expenditures and re-
port to President Wilson and the
Cabinet on Monday, began work.
The national officers of the Brother
hood Of Railway Conductors conferred
with President Wilson regarding in.
creased wages and the cost OF living.
The House Interstate Commerce
Committee advocated aresolutIon au-4
thurizing the. Federal Trade Commis-
sion to investigate the Increased cost
or the half dozen important develop
ments; n however. the request of Presl-
recess, at least temporarily, to consider
the request OF the railroad workers
and to study economic conditions was
Congress Ready to Act.
Alacrlty with which the House com.
piled with the request OF the President
was wa taken as indication of the deep
gress by pleas for relief from all parts
:, President Wilson. it was said at the
economic conditions before him in 1
,,rn, Uasiety of phases In making his res
lmDOrtlnt m dat ftor
within fortnight from his advisers.
his pef95s 5s Hnss the Presdens sen,
that the conference of Cabinet mem
bers and other officials assembled yes
ieTaay etayfs by Atl0rneyGeneral Palmer
average man from high prices would
reassemble Tuesday and would have
Grain Corporation. An invitation
mem 20 attend End was Interpreted today as
would be given to the proposal to Sell
wheat at the market price. allowing
between that and the | s2.2s t;e guaranteed ateed
the farmers. Several officials have
expressed the opinion that free mar
bring down other staples materially.
Secret Service Active.
Director-General Hines, Assistant
secretary of the Treasury Lehngwell
Trade Commission. appointed a spetial
committee by the conference. will re-
port at the next meeting on the yarie,r
suggestions which have been advanced,
The Department of Justice is unde1.
stood TO be prepared to put the entira
law enforcement machinery of the
government back of anything that may
De decided upon to stop eXtortton In
the prices of necessities
NO relief from present high prices
Is E forecast ore In the Federal Reserve
fond,i;ons s"mTds monthiy ntas review Of business.
that July saw further increasas II
many lines. ~
In general" the review said. there !,
lavai a aisposi,'on to accept present price
come" .iae 70
IN mar.. districts high prices have
nossihiTi,, nos SGrxed TO check demand. but the
found to he Of greater moment IL 10
buyer than the price fixed. On ths
other hand. the board said, the-i..y-erv
gre. sia price Increases which have taken
place In certain lines have made buy-
ers more cautious care being taken
not TO Increase unduly stocks acquired
at the present price level for fear
decline might occur
Expansion In Many Lines.
Continued high prices. along With
Q Wv III III tEdUe. DOth whole
sale and retail. and increased acfiyifv
IN some OF the basic industries siiss
tanned confidence in the industrial
SITUATION led to expansion in many
INES. Almost the only compIaints
neard concern shortage of raw ma
terials, and, in a few districts Iaho,
troubles. although a majority of tbs
districts report normal iahnr o.s .na
tions. eoHu''
Instead OF a fear of unempIoym.nt
which had been expressed during ths
early part of the year" the board said,
the reports received manifest ths
fear OF an impending shortage Of
,aoor.r The exodus Of LIEN workers
The agricultural outlook ON IN.
Wnolez@as reported favorable with In
dications that the cotton crop would
6e much shorter than previously In
dicated Manufacturing continues ac.
1--WE marked advances In prices hay.
ing occurred in cotton goods, with
many mills overSold. Export orders
were said to be large. Raw wool atiij
Is in heavy demand and revival ~
building has continued.
y Demand for Investment.
Turning to the financial situatIon.
the board declared that while specuia.
ton continued at an unpreGede iii edl,
high level, an Investment demand fos
stocks has revealed itself, fIeadinx IA
tho Withdrawal OF an unusual an1,um
OF shares from tho market The ,hafSE,
ing situation was reported sound, cs1dij