The sun., 1919-08-20
HOUSE TO HALT
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 Tnx sus.


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-
tiop of the prices Of boots and shoes,
with the aim of preventing increase
up to $50 next winter as have been
predicted.
The resolution was introduced by
Representative Igoe (Mo.) and the
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 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 $2,47O, ,649.27. most of
which will be used to upearth 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
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
| sweeping extensions of the food con-
troll act, framed by Chairman Haugen
! Qowa), 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 General
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 s2.135,Ooo will be used against
proftees. antitrust combinations and
radical agitators.
Mr.. Palmer asked an additional 81,
900, 900 for the general work of "detec.
| tion and prosecution of crimes" but he
has slater that most of this will be used
in the high cost of living campaign. In
L.. fAp H. o.
and expenses of extra United States
marshals. $4,000 for special attorneys
! to prosecute violators. $4,000 for the
J Increased expenses OF United states at
torneys, and $4,000 for clerks or tn,
Federal courts. Additional expenses OF
the departments Offices here call fol
$46,666.6s.
For the prosecution OF antitrust suit.
5000 900 is asked. 1.-THE rest Of the re-
quest Is for improvements and enlarge
ments of the Federal penitertiaries, anC
and return to their native countries oi
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 Appropriation Commit
tee this week and give the specific needs
for the additional money
Attorney-General Palmers attendance
again has been sought by the Senate
ICommittee on Agriculture to straighter
out tangle which has developed ovei
the definition of profteerlng.
While the committee has no intention
of employing the newly coined wort
in any legislation, the fact remain,
that an impasse has been reached in the
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