The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-03
RECESS OF CONGRESS
BLOCKED BECAUSE Of
HIGH COST CRUSADE
ALL ACTIVITIES AT WASHINGTON
NOW CENTER UPON CUT.
TING PRICES

Washington, Aug. I'm the face of
growing unrest over the high cost of
living as indicated by the spreading
strike of railroad workers, many gov.
eminent agencies moved today in eff
forts to effect return to normal price
levels.
Immediate sale of all surplus food
stuffs, purchased for the army instead
of only canned goods, was ordered by
the war department. Millions of pounds
of meat, beans, pumpkin. squash, and
other commodities will be offered to the
public Monday, August IS, through the
parcel post system, at prices materially
lower than those now prevailing in the
market. Purchasers will have to pay
postage charges from the place of
storage.
Director General Hines, Commissioner
Colver and Assistant Secretary Letting
well, appointed by the conference as
sembled by Attorney General Palmer to
recommend steps to reduce living costs,
were engaged today in an exchange of
memoranda.
The impression went out that the
committee had agreed that steps could
be taken by congress which would al
leviate the situation at once, but it
was said at Mr.. Hines office that moth
| ing final had been decided upon. The
committee was instructed particularly
to deal with profiteering and to suggest
how law enforcement agencies should
proceed to bring to justice men guilty
of extortion through unreasonable
prices.
| If any recommendation is made to
congress, it Is believed most likely that
it will deal with sale of the wheat crop
at market prices and the absorption
by the government between the price
and the $2.26 guaranteed the farmer.
Many officials have indicated that this
is the most practicable step to be ta-
| ken
Congress continued to discuss the liv-
| ing question. At the White House.
President Wilson was said to be re-
ceiving fun reports on all phases of it..
The senate adopted a resolution asking
the banking committee whether reduc-
ton of the currency initiation would
help the situation. In the house an at
tempt to recess for two weeks was
blocked by Representative Igoe, demo
crat. of Missouri, because his resolution
to have the federal Trade Commission
investigate the price of shoes was not
acted upon.
Demands of railway employees for
more wages drew fire from Representa-
tive Blanton, democrat, of Texas, who
said the railroad men were acting like
"highwaymen," in attempting to obtain
"another unfair bilion-dollar" raise.
Introduction in the house of a gov
ernment ownership railroad bill with
the employees participating in the con-
troll and profits of the roads. brought a
statement by leaders of the four broth.
erhoods that the high cost of living de
manded the operation Of the countrys
most important industry. for service
rather than profits"
The statement declared that wage
earners could never hope to gain per
manent victory in the economic strife
under present conditions. because OF
the constantly growing cycle of prices
based on wages, and declared it was not
money. but value, which really counted
Any basic change, it was argued, must
begin with the railroads, the fundament
al industry on which all others are de
pendent.