The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07
FIGHT IS ORDERED
TOCURB PRICES


mat prices charged to the consumer
We're not tustifabie.
The instructions to United States At.
follows:
, The food control act, which 10
. sun In force. in Section makes
boarding Of necessares as herein de-
nned a crime and Section provides
tnat whenever nocessaries shall be
hoarded they may be proceeded
against by process of libel for con-
demnauon. There IL much complaint
IN the country about the extensive
storage OF food products, which in
many instances may amount to a
violation OF the law. You are hereby
directed to Immediately employ all
ieciht'es at your command and mako
use OF all available sources OF In
formation to seek out all dealers >
guilty OF boarding within the mean
Ing or the act and to ascertain II
IN any other respect these provisions
OF theffood control act have been
violated In your district
Pieese proceed with promptness
ana diiigence to make thorough In
vestigation Of conditions In your dis
trict with respect to possible viola
lions of this law and of the anti
trust laws and when the evidence
warrants see that arrests arc made
without further instructions.
This IL business Of prisne fmpor-
lance which demands your iYnme-
date personal attention. Conditions
require countrywide campaign
against hoarders and profiteers and
desire the Department Of Justice
to use every legal means available
TO put an end TO their activities.
Call for Joint Session.
At the same time the White House
made public letter from the President
20 representative Mondell (wyo. }.
republican floor leader in the House,
asking Tor n joint session Of the Con-
sress to receive massage. It follows
am very sorry indeed that 1 can
not comply with your suggestion of
delay In the matter Of my address
to a Joint session Of Congress. The
situation which impslled me last
week to ask Congress to postpone it's
recess until my recommendation
could be submitted u still acute. 1
have had under very serious consid-
Grafton the proper action of the
Government with reference to the
high cost OF living. and feel that II
Is my duty at tho earliest possible
moment ID present certain recon-
mendations now ready for submis-
sion to Congress.
have. therefore. asked the Vice
President and the Speaker to arrange,
II possible, for q Joint session for
Friday afternoon next at I o'clock.
Attorney-General Palmer said that he
was not prepared to state whether ac-
ton against the packers would be of a
civil suit for dissolution.
But" he said, the law In the case
makes both criminal and civil action by
the Government possible"
The Attorney-General was not pre-
pared to state just where and when ac-
ton would be brought, but said that Il
would be immediate. In view Of the
fact that Federal Attorney Clyne of
attended the H. c. of l. con-
ferences here 1t is regarded as likely
that the initial action will be brought
in the United States District Court in
In all previous antitrust suits by the
no individual has been con-
victed and forced to serve a Jail SEN
tence. Some Government, officials are
now that the coming actions
will result In convictions aad the serving
Of prison sentences.
In explanation Of ths formal state
ment Mr.. Palmer said that by the COM
bination he meant Of course the five big
packers. Armour and Company Swift
and Company. Morris and Company.
Packing Company and Wilson
and Company. Tho cnse against them
was prepared. he continued. after Kresel
and a number of attorneys had gone
over the reports of the Federal Trade
Commission for three or four months.
These men gave conscientious study to
the hearings and the inquiries conducted
by Francis ]. Heney with respect to the
inner working OF all of the packer or
ganizations.