The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-08-01
Action Taken in Washing
ton in Response to Public
Demands That Something
Be Done.
UPHEAVAL IS SAID
TO BE THREATENED
Railroad B r o t h r h o o d 5
Maintain Reduction in
Living Cost Rather Than
Increased Wages Desired.

Washington, July 3t.--Governmsn,
Machinery was set in motion today IL
response to demands from the public
that some official action be taken "a
relieve the high cost Of living prices
rs they affect the average consumer
and assumed first place in interest
At the white house president was said
to be giving deep thought ard full
consideration to the problem present
ed TO him and the railroad adminis-
trstion by members Of the RaiIroad
Brotherhoods who, represented that
prices would have TO come down or
wages 90 up, ~ social unrest was not
to develop into uphsavai.
In the senate and house several rsso-
iutions were introduced TO investigate
the cause Of existing price levels. Late
today Attorney General Palmer met
eight high government officials TO dis
cuss the situation.
After talk lasting nearly three
hours. conference disbanded to meet
again probably next week, for further
counsel based on additional informa-
tion collected in the meantime. those
attending included Secretaries Glass,
Redfield. Wilson. Director Hines,
Chairman Murdoch, of the Federal
trade commission: Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury Leffingwell. and w. b.
Glover. OF the federal trade commits
sion.
II developed today that demands for
more wages were pending before the
railroad administration from several
hundred thousand employees.
w. G. Lee. president of the trainmen.
told the wage adjustment board. how
ever. increased wages was not the
proper solution of the present econom-
ic hardships under which workingmen
are laboring. because they would be
followed by new increases in the cost
of everything which would more than
absorb additional pay.
Until all classes get together to stop
profiteering. he said. the only thing
for everyone to do is get all the wages
he can which of course, he declared
would result eventually in precipitat-
ing the "upheavar' now staring the
country in the face.
Washington, July 31-First steps in
the federal government attempt to re-
duce the high cost of living were
taken with the Inauguration of the plan
for the sale OF $125, 1000. 900 OF army
foodstocks direct to the people with
every postmaster and mail carrier over
the country acting as a salesman.
While this program was being put
into effect, President Wilson. had be-
fore him statement from the Brother |
hood of Locomotive Engineers which |
declared that "conscienceless profi- |
teering by the great interests, who |
have secured control of all the necessi-
ties 7f life" had brought about such |
conditions that engineers felt they
must demand increased wages unless /
living expenses speedily were reduced i
Al te department OF justice investi-
cations into causes being given the
questiQ of whether of producers or
dealers had combined in violation of |
law 70 aise prices OF necessities.
MEANTIME there was pending in the
house aresoiution proposing that the
federal Fade commission investigate
rising CO.'S OF coffee. sugar. shoes and
clothing.