New-York tribune., 1919-08-07
Order Is Issued to Drop
All Other Business to
Get Evidence Against
Guilty Price Inflaters
Wilson to Address
Congress Friday
Attorney General Hints
at Extra Legal Means
TO Meet the Situation

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The govern.
ments fight against the high cost Of
hVlng moved swiftly toe day. The prin-
cipal developments, the psychological
effect of which is expected to bring
some reduction in food prices imme-
diately. follow:
Attorney General Palmer an.
nounced that suit is to he fled
against the Big Five packers under
the antitrust laws within the next
lie" days. He was satisfied, he said.
that there had been clear cut viola
tions by the packers
United States Attorneys were or
dered to drop all other business and
begin a nation wide campaign, using
every available legal means 10 bring
an end to profiteering and boarding
| of foodstuffs.
President wilson aiaounceds that
he would go before a Joint session of
the two houses of Congress at
O'Clock Friday afternoon and ask for
additional powers to deal with the
AHSA SOSt VI IiNiHX Situation.
No Price Fixing Planned
The President is expected in his ad-
dress to ask only such additional
powers Is will assist the administrative
branch in freeing the channels Of trade.
He viii not ask for any system of price
fixing, Cabinet members inticated to-
day, nor VIII he seek authority to fix
margins of profits
However. in the view of several Off
cals, the President probably viii deal
with these subjects:
Enlargement of, the provisions Of
the Lever food control law. TO make
1t operative after the procianatioa
Of peace and applicable to shoes,
clothing and all life necessarics in
addition Ia food.
Legislation TO reach the small or
individual profiteer as we'll a. big
business" eStorton.
Legislation to seine profiteering.
thereby making s.-ier prosecution
under existing la~s
Laws to make speculation in noo.
cssaries d srime.
Legislation limiting the margin Of
profit on necessities.
Another development Of the day was
the making public Of the Federal Trade
Commissions report on the shoe IN
dustry investigation. This report
charged that the high price Of shoes
resulted IRON excessive profits taken
oy every factor IN tne tlade The
packers tanners. manufacturers and
retailers ali shared in the blame.
The President was quick to take ad-
vantage Of an opportunity given MIN by
Majority Leader Mondell Of the House
to-day. when he called Secretary
Iumu!ty and suggested that the read
ing OF the Presidents message be put
over until next week, since il was un-
likely that quorum Of the lower body
would be present on Friday.
Situation Declared Acute
The President Immediately addres ssed
and made public the following letter to
Mr. Mondell:
alA NsrN sorry in1eed that
cannot comply with your sugges-
ton o. delay N the matter of my
address to joint session of Con-
gress. The situation which lmpelled
NE last week to ask Congress %
postpone its recess until my recon-
mendations could be submitted a
still acute. have had under very
serious consideration the proper ac-
uon OF the government with refer
encc 70 the high cost of living. ard
feel thai it - my duty at tss
earliest possible moment 20 present
certain rcConnlcada 1ions now ready
-Hr eDnlss'oi 10 Congress.
Il p@Ne. therefore. asked the Vice.
PRESIDENT a..d the Speaker to r.
range. ii ross bic, FOR joint ses-
sioA for Friday afternoon next at
/, O'clock
Letters were also sent by the Pres
idenJ 10 speaker Gilett and Vice
President Marshall. informing them Of
h:s intention 10 address Joint ses-
SION OF Congress It i O'Clock FRIDAY
afternoon.
Congress has suspended all its p.au-
for legislation TO cope with the kirh
cost of living until il shall have heard
! from the Executive. It has been in
dicated by the Presidents advisers that
he will recommend extension of the
Lever act to include virtually all basic
necessities of life and foodstuffs ar d