The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-15
Programme of Prosecutor
Meets Opposition From
Democrats.
HOUSE ACTS MONDAY
G. @. p. Ready to Extend
Food Act to Curb High
Clothing Charges.
SUGAR H0ARpERS HUNTED
More Money Sought to War OIL
High Prices by Official
Propaganda.
SUGAR HOARpERS HUNTED

WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-THE fight to
reduce the cost of living brought these
to- day:
Attorney General Palmer told the
Senate Committee on Agriculture
that with his proposed amendment
to the food control act extending
its provisions to clothing and pro-
viding imprisonment of two years
or fine of SO 900 for violation, the
backbone of profiteering in this
country could he broken within
sixty days. "Then you won't have
to worry about consututionality,"
the>Attorney-G General added.
Opposition by the Democrats de-
veloped to the programme of the
Attorney General when he ap-
peared before the committee.
House leaders summoned all
members to appear Monday to take
up the tasks enumerated by the
President in his address to Con-
gress on this subject.
Requests for additional money
from the Departments of Agricul-
prices through official propaganda
Decision by House Republican
leaders first to take up extending
provisions of the food control act to
cover wearing apparel.
Demand by Chairman Good
(1owa) of the House Appropria-
tions Committee for an investiga-
ton of the handling of the wheat
crop by the United States Grain
Corporation.
The Attorney General indicated
that the Department of Justice was
going after the sugar hoarders and
the dealers responsible for boosting
sugar prices beyond II cents a
pound
PrOteat From Middle West.
y delegation representing state
farm organizations all over the
middle West protested to the Presi-
dent any attack on wheat prices,
saying the high cost of living was
not due to farm prices, to the stor-
age of food or it's export, but en-
tifely to the failure of the people to
practise even ordinary economy.
The Department of Justice oallet
attention to the fact THAT all dealers
III sugar, except retail dealers doins
II business of less than 100000 a yea,
III the aggregate. still are under H.
cense by the Food Administration
and subject to all of the license regu,
lations.
The Food Administration has stated
that sugar should not bring more
than IL cents a pound retail and the
department is prepared to go aftel
those responsible for higher price
The license regulations provide that
no licensee shall charge an unreason.
able, .eXorbitant or unjustifiable price
and this provision is to be strict,
enforced
The regulations likewise prohibit re.
sales within the trade which have 9
tendency to enhance prices, and the
jobbers and others are tc
be checked up. Reports to the Lii.
cense Division of the Food Admins.
ration generally We're discontinued
several months ago, but dealers car
be called upon at any time to fur
nish full information on all transac.
tions.
1t was indicated to-day that Depart.
ment of Justice officials were pre-.
pared to act to make effective all OF
the license provisions and to brine
the penalty of license revocation upon
offenders, Revocation of license means
n suspension of business.
Farmers Highly. Pleased.
o. Il. Bradfute, j. G. Brown. ID. O
Thompson and J. II. Howard, represent.
ing the Farm Bureau Federations OF
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, had
Il lengthy. conference with the Presi
dent. They told the Chief Executive
that attempts to fasten the high cost
Of living upon the farmers were far OF,
the mark, and they submitted a lons
statement to prove it, The Presidenr
told them, it is understood, that tbs
had no intention or inclina.
ton to reduce wheat prices. and that hs
was proceeding to attack the cost OF
living along the lines laid down in hi.
message.
The farmer representatives wsa-
highly pleased with the conferenS =
They absolved the producers. the cob
storage men and exporters from blanSA
and declared that the high cost Q,
living was due to lack of economy ~
consumers and largely to exhorbtss-
profits by middle men. They laid -,
heavy share Of the blame on labor, de
claring that strikes, by shortening pro
duction, increased prices. In theii
statement 10 the President they said:
THE high cost of living is not due to
the original price of the farm product
10 the grower. The Government mini.
mum price for wheat does not determine
the cost OF a loaf OF bread. Fixing q
resale price at $3.50 per bushel would
affect, II reflected to the consumer, very
little the cost OF living for the average
family, Average wheat consumption In
this country is about Gla bushels 8
year a person. Reduction in price to
{ 30 peT bushel would mean a SNvtn .