The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-08-05
PRESIDENT TAKES
CHARGE IN CRISIS
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to this conference, il is expected. the
President will have some definite an
nouncement to make, perhaps the
text of letters exchanged by himself
and Mr.. Barnes.
COaI Famine Threatened.
While Palmer's conferees were
drawing up their plan this morning
for lowering food costs, further. COM
plications in this problem came to
light when IL was stated by Senators
that a. coal famine. is threatened this
winter. because OF a coal car short
age.
Distribution Of surplus army food
will start August IS, but orders for
it are already being received in all
parts of the country. The first break
in prices is expected when this food
goes on the market
In this connection it became known
today the prices announced last week
by the War Department are too high,
in the opinion of the committee of the
Postoffice Department, charged with
the distribution of the foods. This
committee, headed by Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General BlaksIee, will
confer tomorrow with officials of the
war Department with a view OF OBJ
tanning revision downward of the
price schedule quoted. it was an
nounced at the Postoffice Department.
today.
1t is felt by postonice officials that
when the cost of distributing the sur-
plus foods through the postal ser
vice has been added to the prices
quoted by the War Department. as
rnn far 1,
increased to such an extent that
saving viii be realized by the4 "
chasing consumers. ->-----,s js=sis--s-I
A fight for. En actual EN-
all fooasrun exports as the
tual remedy to the high cost OF
also impended in Congress today
tiated by Congressman Maiden q Z
nois and Senator Reed of Miss
sentiment for such drastic action
growing steadily.
Many labor leaders already havs
taken the position that only through
an embargo can prices be forced |
down. One Of the biggest chain |
store" concerns in Washington was
festuring its advertisements today |
with the slogan: Save American Food |
for Americans" and evidences were
plenty that this proposal is certain to
have many supporters in the near
future.
Say Europe Would Sfarve.
Opponents Of the plan were insist
ng that put into effect it meant star
ration for Europe. They were Sc
'Wing statistics to back up this be-
ief. Only by America sharing her
uiplus with Europe could complete
-narchy in the various countries be
-voided, the opponents Of the plan
lain. And they insisted that Presi-
lent Wilson would refuse to permit
ny embargo legislation to be Enacted.
That. however. was subject on
which absolutely no official word was
btainable.
Advocates 'St the embargo plan
'ointed out that,during June a thir-
y-day month-eXDorts Of foodstuffs.
ouT, etc, totalled S1l8.344.2II: meat
nd dairy products, SI75.344.993 and
'ottonseed oil alone, 81 357.2I9 worth.
Had this been kept in the United
states, they insisted, existing prices
you'd have been cut in hat.
Think Bread the Cruz.
Bread, the Department Of Lsbor re-
,orts, sells for 10 10 cents q pound
n most cities. II is argued if This
rice can be cut TO 3 or 6 cents, otter
GODS will tumble in sympathy.
Governor Harding was to be asked
bout the advisabiIity Of reducing the
olume Of currency in circulation.
'htch officials say is twice that of
re-war days. They argue that this
one Of the chief causes of high
Tices.
II is also suggested that Federal
anking machinery be used to con-
ract credit. Some experts say it IS
oW highly inflated.
The President, it became known to-
ay' is giving serious consideration to
he revival Of the price-fxing and
functions of the Food
and the War Indus
-ies Board, now imperative for lack
funds, although the laws which
nabled them TO operate are still on
be statute books.
Increasing pressure for a reduction
the cost of living today brought
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