New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
People Invited to Order
Direct From Govern.
ment; Delivery Will Be
Made by Parcel Post
Many Millions of
Pounds Offered
President Gets Reports
on Situation; ; House and
Senate Debate Subject

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-In the face
of growing unrest over the high cost
of living, as indicated by the spread
ing strike of railroad workers. MANY
government agencies moved to-day in
efforts to effect a return to norma,
price levels
Immediate sale of all surplus food
stutfs purchased for the army, instead
of only canned goods, was ordered by
the War Department. Millions of
pounds of meat, beans, pumpkin, squash
and other commodities will be offered
to the public Monday, August Is.
through the parcel post system, at
prices materially lower than those now
prevailing in the market Purchasers
VII! have to pay postage charges from
the place of storage. This sale. it is
pointed out, will be the largest sale
direct to the consumer ever attempted
in the history of the country
Director General Hines, Commits
sioner Colver and Assistant Secretary
Lefingwell, appointed by the confer
ence assembled by Attorney General
Palmer to recommend steps to reduce
living costs, were engaged day in an
exchange of memoranda bearing on the
problem.
No Final Decision
The impression went out that the
committee had agreed that steps could
be taken by Congress which would al
leviate the situation at once, but it
was said at Mr.. Illness Office that moth
ing final had been decided upon.
The committee was instructed par
ticularly to deal with protiteering and
to suggest how law enforcement agen-
cies should proceed to bring to JUS
tice men guilty of extortion through
unreasonable prices.
If any recommendation is made to
Congress it is believed most likely
that it will deal with the sale of the
wheat crop at market prices and the
absorption by the government of the
loss between those prices and the 1926
guaranteed the farmer. Many officials
have indicated that 1his is the most
practicable step which could be taken
and the one most likely TO have an
immediate effect.
President Gets Reports
Congress continued to discuss the
living question, and at the White
House President Wilson WAS said to
be receiving full reports on all phases
Of it, The Senate adopted resolution
asking the Banking Committee whether
reduction of the currency imitation
would help the situation. In the House
all attempt 10 recess for two weeks
was blocked by Representative igoe,
Democrat, of Missouri because his res
olution to have the Federal Trade Com
mission investigate the price of shoes
was not acted upon.
The new demands of railway en-
ployes for more wages TO meet the high
cost of living drew fire from Repre-
sentative Blanton, Democrat, of Texas,
who said the railroad men were acting
like "highwaymen" in attempting to
obtain "another unfair billion dollars
raise"
Introduction in the House of gov
ernment ownership railroad bill. with
the employees participating in the con
troll an profits Of the roads, was made
the occasion of statement by leaders
of the four brotherhoods that the high
cost Of living demanded the operation
of the countrv's most important indus
try "for service, rather than for profit"
No Chance to Catch Up
The statement declared that wage
earners could never hope to gain a
permanent victory in the economic
strife Under present conditions because
of the constantly growing cycle OF
prices based on wages, and declared
it was not money, but value, which real
ly counted Any basic change, ii was
argued, must commence with the rail
roads, the fundamental industry OH
which all others are dependent
Speaker Gillett made public letter
he sent to President Wilson in re-
sponse to the request that the five
week recess be abandoned. The Speaker
wrote:
"The President.
Dear Sir: l have received your let
ter Of this date expressing the wish
that Congress should not recess at
present. | presume it is in lieu of the
ordinary method of communicating
your views to Congress, and will cause
it to be read in the House.
Il regret that you did not arrive at
these conclusions sooner and advise Us
when the subject was under considers
tion by Congress some days ago, as, of
course, 1t VIII now interfere with many
perfected plans. But if, as intimated in
your letter, you expect sean to recon-
mend to us important legislation have
no doubt that the House will be glad
to await and consider the proposals
you are preparing.
"As 10 railroad legislation, | sup
posed by act Of Congress you had now
full authority, and ore of the reasons
for our recess was that the committees
of the House fmight, uninterrupted By