New-York tribune., 1919-08-11
County Committees To
BE Formed to Report
All Instances of Extor-
ton to L. S. Attorneys
Sale of All Army
Clothing Sought
Reavis Charges Baker Is
Selling Surplus Abroad
to Help Manufacturers
.Ne,c Yorl- Triban.
NJ @ j. ,,n}o,, p.

Wash notop B,sreau
WASHINGTON, Aug lO.-Pendinc
the enactment of special laws bv Con-
gress to deal with profiteers. The De
partment Of Justice viii use publicity.
Attorney General Palmer announced
to-day. as its extra legal weapon in
combating the evil
Mr.. Palmer sent teleeranls 70 those
who acted as state food administrators
during the war asking that fair price
committees be reconstructed in all
localities; that they publish fair price
lists for all necessities Of life. and that
all evidence of violations of ,aw be
turned over TO the United States at
torneys. who viii institute prosecu-
tons.
Other Developments in tie fight
against the high cost Of living were:
Governor ". P. c. Harding o. tho
Federal Reserve Board. i,1for,ned
Senator sMcLean. sl,si-nian Of mo
Senate Committee on BANKING and
Currency, that legislation to reduce
the volume of currency in circula-
tlon is unnecessary and undesira-
pie The currency was increased
ne said, only a 5 necessity aros, dur
ing the war, and Will be automatica1lv
dimlnished as the need for a large
Volume OF money 70 transact the
country's business passes.
Blow Aimed at Clothing Prices
Representative Reavis. chairman
OF the House committee inve.t;-
eating the Quartermaster Corns ~
tne army, announced that his com
mlttee Immediately would begin q
drlve to compel the War Department.
10 dispose Of its surplus stocks 81
ctothlng IN this country as Il means
OF reducing prices for clothing. He
charged that Secretary Baker $ at-
'em pt'hg to protect the manufact-
urers OF knit goods by selling sur
pius army clothing abroad.
. Inc Assoc'ation Opposed 70 .Ea-
tlonal Prob bitions made public a
report asserting that hotol ratss
throughout the country cannot be
brought down. but must be ncreasoJ
because OF prohibition. The repor.
nased on an Investigation made bv
INC ASSOCIATION. asserted the rrhi,.
Viii DC compelled TO pay annroxi.
mately $500. 100000 during the nc,.
year to cover deficiencies in hotj
earnings.
Attorney General Palmer. move N
asking the formation Of fair mice
committees was generally approved N
congress The committees would he
made up of one drygoods merchant
'ne grocer, one representative each of
producers, organized labor house
yves and two or'three representatives
u the public generally and OF whole
alers
Gronna Approves Idea
Il have always believed that the beat
'ure for this situation is publjcjtv.
and Senator Gonna, chairman Of ths
senate Agricultural Committee. ~rne
executive departments can help. as s4.-
sested by the President in his ad1ress.
he fair price committees viii heio in
leafing with the little fellovs. and
congress by conducting inves igations
AN assist by bringing on, the fact.
vljh regard to the big fellows. pm
lclty Will do more than all the '.pis-
atlon suggested by the Presidec.."
Work and Save His Plan
Governor Harding in his ,o,ter 20
'en2tor 1ronna reviewed financial con-
iltions and drew the following couch,-
sons:
The Federal Reserve .3oard belia,as
nat any currency legislation a, MS
ime IS unnecessary ana undesirable
sld YOU'D suggest tsat. whether viewed
rom an economic or aaanciSl stand
'oiht, the remedy for tac present sit
'a'loh IS the same--namaiy. u work
md to save; - work ,csul.rl, md
in order 10 proauc- and di,-
1loute the lalgcs. pos ssla.A rolno.a az
ommodlties. and 20 o1esf4ss. rsass.f,. 30
economies ~ order ,naL money gonfS
'hd services may be devoted primarily
. the nquication ot debt ard 10 he
atlslaction OF the demand 10Y nec,s-
mes rather than to inGul lgence n e.
!aNagances or the qualification ot
leslrc for Injuries.
he war is over, IN 4 military sense
md waile the bills have been setticj
~ loans 70 the government. these OH
cations, so far as they are carried
y the banks. must be absorbed before
he war chapter of the financial history
= the country can be closed
Governor Harding differed with sscra-
-afy Ct tne Treasury Glass n -hat ha
hought the question OF reducing the
'oIume o. currency outstanding snoujd
'e considered not OF the basis of rhs
stock Of money IN the country. hut
ipon the amount actually in circ1rla-
-ion.
He assumed there was no desire -
reduce the national bank notss or. 20
=