The sun., 1919-08-15
was any doubt that shoes and hats came
under the head OF wearing apparel


shoes TO He Included.
There is no question in my mind on
that point" answered Mr.. Palmer. But
n there is any doubt for Gods sake put
shoes in"
Chairman Gronna suggested that "the
recessaries" would be a broader term,
but Mr.. Palmer thought that this use OF
such word might throw difficulties in
the way Of enforcement.
I'VE tried to put cotton into the bill
when 1t was up In the Senate two years
ago. interrupted Senator Kenyon. but
the cotton growing South and reaction
airy New England united and knocked
cotton out" .t ......
I'VE all had to combine against the
Bolsheviks of the West" retorted Senator
Smith Is. CO..
Mr.. Palmer advocated the utmost ex-
Eedition In the enactment of the legisla-
ton he proposed I'VE should have this
law In three days" he said.
Senator Smith Is. c. took the posi-
ton that adding wearing apparel to the
list Of controlled commodities would
throw the price regulation issue wide
open I'm the Senate and would lead to
endless turmoil He thought II would be
best not to attempt this.
AS I understand It," said Senator
high cost Of food. A man can patch his
pants, but he has got to have new food
at every meal
Mr.. Palmer thought that II wearing
apparel were not included the producers
of food, meaning farmers, would have q
real grievances
Senator Smith advanced the unusual
argument that the high cost Of living is
helping to pay the cost OF high living
and then went on to say that tho high
prices produced general prosperity.
Mr.. Palmer replied that the high cost
of living was falling very heavily on the
mass of the people by reason OF the
Practice OF constituencies persons taking
advantage of abnormal conditions and
preying on the people.
Senator Smith contended that people
suffered when prices are low, and in
sisted that II was an economic fact that
when prices are high production was
stimulated and general prosperity re-
suited.
THE fellow we want to reach" said
Mr. Palmer. lis the dealer, whether re-
taller or wholesaler, who takes advantage
Of present conditions and adds al uu-
considerable profit to prices"
Senator Smith (Ga.) thought legisla
tion proposed by the Administratio
NOuiu pd uAhBtTOuS W tH-
force. He feared IL might throw bust
ness into uncertainty. He asked how Mr.
Palmer expected to establish reasonable
prices in every community.
Mr.. Palmer stated that he asked the
community price fixing organization
formed under the Food Administration
during the war to resume its activ.-
ties, and told the committee that prose-
cutions would be conducted against deal
ers who exceeded prices fixed by tn sc
organizations You ought either to re-
peal this law or put teeth into It," he
told the committee.
Committee members called the At
torney-Generars attention to the fact
that the food act terminated with the
ratification of the peace treaty. Mr.
Palmer said he knew that. and expressed
the opinion that Congress would have no
difficulty in enacting permanent legisla-
ton along the same line in strict eccord
with the Constitution.
Senator Smith Is. c. remained 'un-
convinced of the necessity OF MI. Pal
mer's legislation. 1T sets a dangerous
precedent" he said, and ! admit that l
am scared to death of IT."
Senator Ransdeli (La.) also indicated
hostility to the bill.