The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-02
TO FIGHT HIGH
LIVING COSTS
Representatives VIII Forego
Vacations and Try to Find
Remedies.
PRESIDENT MADE A PLEA
Mondell Calls on Wilson to
Suggest Plan for Bringing
Down Prices.
PRESIDENT MADE A PLEI

tie request of President Wilson,
for recess. beginning tomorrow.
and to remain in session to assist in
the fight to reduce the cost Of living
and to solve the railroad wage matter,
so close to the problem of the present
high prices OF the necessaries of life.
In asking for the resembling OF the
recent resolution authorizing the re-
cess in the House, Representative
Mondell (wyo), Republican leader.
made 1t plain that Il was now up to
the President to take the next step
In bringing down prices by submitting
recommendations for action to Con-
gress. The House agreed to give up
the recess without a record vote and
with practically no debate, but disap-
pointment was manifest everywhere,
for virtually the entire membership
had planned to avoid the hot August
days of the capital by going to the
various summer resorts Three men,
bers voted against abandoning the re-
cess. They were Platt IN. ", Moon
(Tenn.), and Blanton (Tex.).
Request of the President.
The postponement Of the recess was
requested by President Wilson in this
letter. which ne sent to Speaker Giliett
and Representative Mondell:
Tho Director General Of Railroads
informs mn that the situation with
reference to the railroads Is growing
20 critical every hour that hope It
will be possible for the House to
postpone its recess until some deh-
mite action y taken upon the recon-
mendations outlined in my letter to
Mr. Esch. Officials OF the Govern
ment have been In consultation with
reference to the problems growing
out OF the high cost of living. upon
which expect recommendations to
be made within n fortnight / sin
cerely trust that the proposed re-
cess OF Congress may be postponed
at least until such time as we may
know definitely the problems which
confront us growing out of this In
tricate situation.
The Presidents request for a post
ponement OF the recess came as distinct
surprise to members Of both parties. His
action. coming at such short time be-
fore the time set for adjournment. was
criticised by Democrats and Republicans
alike.
| A hurried conference of both Senate
and House leadero was called In Speaker
Gillett's ONCE, and II was unanimously
decided that the recess should beaaban-
doned.
In asking that the House stay in ses-
/ sion, Representative Mondell made the
following statement:
when the House after careful con-
, sideration of all matters involved agreed
/ upon the recess of Ave weeks II was with
the view and expectation that all pend
ing matters of legislative Importance
would be advanced by the recess because
of the fact that the recess would afford
an opportunity for the committees to
continue uninterrupted in the considera-
| tion OF matters before them"
| This was particularly true In regard
| to the Committee on Interstate and For
eign Commerce. which is now consid-
! ering and proposed to continue to con-
slider during the recess all OF the ques-
tions involved in and relating to the
railway problem OF the country and in
!
suggested and presented by the Presi-
dent
These and other matters OF recon-
st uctlon would have been carefully and
thoroughly considered by this commit
| tee and tine other committees and / am
| still of the opinion that careful and
1 wise consideration and settlement by the
committee would have been advanced by
the recess
Added Reason From Wilson.
'The President. however. presents an
added reason for the continuation of the
House in session--that is. the considera-
tlon of the problems growing out OF the
high cost OF living. These are tremen-
| dcusly important questions They would
| have received consideration and atten-
| ton by the committees which remained
! In session during the recess, but as the
Ptesident suggests that he may be able
to make recommendation to the Con-
| Kress on this all important subject
| within a fortnight we certainly cannot
| AFFORD to miss any possible opportunity
to consider and act upon any sugges-
/ tons or recommendations THAT shall
! promise relief from the present intoler-
! able conditions
"In view of these facts and in the hope
that the President may be able to make
recommendations to the Congress con-
tanning practical suggestions of means
! for the reduction of, the high cost OF
| living / feel 1t is the duty OF the House
to remain in session and therefore offer