Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-02
Congress Centers
on II. G.. L. War
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Continued From Page One
political fight between the Democrats
and the Republicans fight to dodge
responsibility for the present state OF
affairs and the unrest prevailing
throughout the country.
1t has brought TO President Wilson
and his cabinet advisers n realization
that the people of the country are de.
manding immediate action of some sort
and will not be satisfied with a mere
shifting of the burden to Congress for
interminablc Investigations which ac-
complish nothing.
With that realization brought home,
1t was said that the President would
authorize very shortly the use OF
a 81 900 ZOO. 900 subsidy voted by Con
gress. in attempting to 'break' wheat
prices in the hope that such break
will bring all other food prices tumbline
down in sympathy with the lower cost
of the leading grain.
The big subsidy was passed to guar
antee to the American farmer a price
of $2.26 n bushel for his wheat. The
government has tried to sustain that
price in the market. Now it will move
to break that price and bring whea
down to a natural level of supply and
demand.
: The control of wheat is about the
only means the government has imme-
diately at it's disposal with which to
attack the high cost of living. Govern
ment officials tonight are searching out
all the existing laws to see what Other
steps can be taken without waiting
q for legislation.
Drastic Remedies Suggested
Democratic senators and representa-
tives are introducing all sorts of bills
and resolutions suggesting drastic rem
edies for the cost OF living. That is q
distinct partisan move ON the part @!
the Democrats to lcgislate. Tho Re
publicans in Congress are holding back
waiting to form some definite program
IL they can. They are so lacking II
effective leadership in both branches il
Congress, however as to preclude thu
possibility of quick action.
d. President Wilson said yesterday III
hoped to have definite recommendation
to make to Congress on the high cos
. of living within fortnight.
President Wilson was sharply criti
cized also by the Republican leaders o
both House and Senate for having re
mained out of the country so long
giving all of his attention to what the.
tern, the impractical" league o
nations while domestic problems wer
allowed to speed headlong and unat
tended to the present deplorable con
ditions.
1t is felt certain in Washington
that a reduction in wheat, bring
ing with it reduction in Hour to tn
consumer, will be the first of the admin
istration's move in the attack on higl
prices. The government machinery wa
set in motion at a conference calle'
by Attorney General Palmer and at
tended by Secretaries Glass, Houston
Wilson and Redfie!d; Federal Trad
Commissioners Colver and Murdock
Walker ID. Hines, director general o
the railroads, and r. G. Lefingwell, as
sistant secretary of the treasury.
This developed with the announce
ment that when the cabinet member
and officials meet again next Tuesda!
Mr.. Barnes will be present to discus
the wheat and -four situation. 1t ais
was announced that all suggestion
which have been made for speedy execu
tive action which will tend to reduc
prices will be laid before the conferenc
by committee appointed by Mr.
Palmer. This committee, composed o
Director General Hines, Commissions
Clover and Mr.. Lefingwell, is expecte
to present the suggestions in the form
of definite program which may be pu
In operation at once under existing laws