The sun., 1919-08-20
HOUSE TOHALT
SHOE EXTORTION
Federal Trade Commission Or
dered to Make Immediate
Inquiry.
PALMER ASKS FOR FUNDS
Opponents Of Price Fixing to
Demand Definition of
"Fair" Profits.
Special Despatch to The srs.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-Definite ac-
ton toward reducing the high cost of
living was taken by the House to-day
when 1t voted unanimously to order
the Federal Trade Commission to
make make an immediate investiga-
ton OF the prices of boots and shoes,
with the aim of preventing increases
up to $40 next winter as have been
predicted.
The resolution was introduced by
commission has promised to present
to the country within a month the
actual cost of manufacturing foot
wear
The other outstanding development
In the House as a part of the cam
paign against high costs was the sub
mission of a request from the Attor-
ney- Generals office for an additional
appropriation of s2,470 649.27. most of
which will be used to unearth boards
of commodities and prosecute prof.
teers. This brings the total addi-
tional appropriations the Government
departments have asked to bring down
living costs up above $4,000, 900.
Attorney General Palmer is to ap.
pear before the House Agriculture
Committee to outline the work he pro-
poses, and to give his opinion on the
h.
troll act, framed by Chairman Haugen
Uowa). which would allow the Pres
ident to proclaim fair prices on all
necessities and give the Department
OF Justice power to prosecute all vi
olators. Assistant Attorney c. eneral
Ames told the committee to-day that
he saw objections to the plan, but
asked that definite action be delayed
until Mr. Palmer could be heard.
To Increase scope.
The Attorney-General in his requests
for more money shows that he plans to
increase greatly the number OF special
agents, attorneys, marshals and other
employees of the department to bring
down living costs OF the total amount
asked S2,l35.o00 will be used against
profiteers, antitrust combinations and
radical agitators.
Mr. Palmer asked an additional 81
O00, 900 for the general work OF "detec-
ton and prosecution of crimes" but he
has stated that most OF this will be used
IN the high cost OF living campaign. In
addition. he desires $245. 900 for the fees
and expenses of extra United States
marshals, $345,0 for special attorneys
TO prosecute violators, $4,000 for the
increased expenses OF United States at
torneys, and $150,000 for clerks or the
Federal courts. Additional expenses of
the departments offices here call for
34s s.666.6s.
5000, 900 is asked. The rest OF the re-
quest is for improvements and enlarge
ments of the Federal penitentiaries. and
an item OF $3.50 900 for "the internment
and return TO their native countries of
alien enemies"
No detailed explanation OF the sums
asked was given by the Attorney-Gen-
eral in his brief letter to Speaker Gill
lette, but he is expected TO appear be-
fore the House Appropriations Commit
tee this week and give the specific needs
| for the additional money.
Attorney General Palmer's attendance
again has been sought by the Senate
Committee on Agriculture to straighten
out a tangle which has developed over
the definition of profiteering.
While the committee has no intention
of employing the newly coined word
in any legislation. the fact remains
that an impasse has been reached In the
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