The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-08-15
Recommendations Are Sub
mitted for Reducing Prices
of All Necessaries.
FUNDS ARE INSUFFICIENT
Bills Are Also Pending for Inves-
tigatiOn of Sugar and Shoe In
dustries-Much Attention is
Given.

Washington, Aug. 12.-An appro-
priation Of 100000 for investigation
Of the increased cost of living by the
federal trade commission was asked
of congress today by Acting Chair
man Murdoch of the commission in a
letter to Speaker Gillett. Funds for
tlies commission already authorized
are insufficient to conduct the pro-
posed inquiry, the letter said.
chairman Murdoch, who also is a
member of the committee named
by Attorney General Palmer to sub
NIT recommendations for reducing
living COSTS set forth in his letter
THAT the commission proposed to con-
duct further Investigations as to the
production, storage and distribution
of foodstuffs'w the aim of arriving
at hgures on the real cost, Wholesale
and retail prices.
$50 far as known, the president has
not directed any additional investiga-
tions but bills are pending in the
house for inquiries into the sugar and
shoe industries.
The communication from the ira de
commission chairman reached the
house at the close of a day during
which both branches OF congress
gave much attention to cost OF living
problems. Appropriations Of S175,-
600 was asked for the secret service
by Secretary Glass, who asked that
In authorizing the appropriation q
Clause be inserted TO permit the use
of the service operatives in running
down food hoarders and profiteers.
Hoarding and profiteering were the
subject of two measures presented in
the house. A bill by Representative
Gard, democrat. Ohio, would provide
$4,000 fine or five years imprison-
ment for boarding, profteering or
monopolizing the production of food
stuffs, fuel or clothing Representa-
tive Goodykoontz, republican, West
Virginia, presented resolution to d.
rect the judiciary committee to frame
legislation to eliminate boarding
and to reduce the amount of currency
in circulation. Mr.. Goodyknootz also
introduced a resolution requesting
the secretary of war to sell the sur
plus stocks of automobiles and motor
trucks.
Representative Kellar, independent
republican, introduced a bill to auth
orize creation of national board OF
conservation headed by the president
and composed of members of the cab
met, five senator's and five representa-
tives which would have power to reg
ulate wholesale and retail prices OF
food and clothing.
Representative Fess. republican,
Ohio. discussing the high cost of liv-
ing In the house declared that gov
ernment wastefulness during the war
and at present in continuing many
war created agencies largely was re-
sponsible for the existing situation.
Senator Mcclellan, democrat, Tennes-
see, appearing before the house agri-
culture committee. predicted organ
lied opposition on the part of the
packing industry to any legislation
to regulate cold storage facilities.
The cost of living question will be
brought up again tomorrow on the
floor of the senate with prepared ad-
dresses by Senator McKellar and
Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri.
The two addresses probably will give
rise to considerable debate.