Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-08-06
THE GOVERNMENT IS BEsrEGED
For Interference In Behalf of People
Against Merciles PrOfiteering.

machinery was set in motion to-day
in response to demands from the pub
lie that some official action be taken
to relieve the high cost OF living.
Prices as they affect the average
consumer took first place at the cap
tol. At the White House President
Wilson waJ said to be giving very
deep thought" to problems present
cd by the railway brotherhoods, who
said that prices would have to come
down or wages would have to go up,
and that the present unrest was to
result in an upheaval. In tn" Senate
and House the situation gave rise
to several resolutions to investigate
the cause Of existing price levels,
another TO reduce the volume Of cur
rency in circulation as means Of
debating prices, one to request the
Attorney General to stop specula-
ton in foods on exchanges, and an
other to sell this years wheat crop
at market prices instead Of at the
government guarantee, the difference
High Officials Confer.
Late to-day Attorney General Pal
mer met eight high government OFF,
cials, whom he had summoned to
his Office for a discussion Of the pro-
blems brought about by high costs
and the best method to pursue to
effect a reduction. After a talk last
ing nearly three hours the confer
ence disbanded to meet again, pro
badly next week, for further coun-
sci, based. on additional information,
TO be collected in the meantime.
Those attending the conference in
Guided Secretaries Glass, Houston,
Redfeld and Wilson, Director Gem
eTal Hines, Chairman Murdoch, Of
the Federal Trade Commission; AS
sistant Secretary of the Treasury
Lefflngwell, and w. B. Colver, OF the
Federal Trade Commission.
More Demands.
It developed to-day that demands
Tor more wages were pending before
the railroad administration from sew
eral hundred employees Of various
railroads. Perhaps the frankest talk
the government officials have heard
in long time came in this connec-
ton, in the statement OF w. G. Lee,
president OF the trainmen, before
the Wage Adjustment Board.
Mr.. Lee told the board that an
iNCrrE@e IN the, wages was not tho
proper solution Of thn preacuJ eco,
Nomic hardfhips under which work.
inG men are iubOr'nr, because they
would be followed by new increases
In the cost Of everything, which
would more than absorb the addi-
tional pay. Until all classes get to-
gether to stop protiteering, he said
the only thing for every one to do
is to get all the wages he cant,
course which he declared would re-
suit eventually in precipitating the
'uphcuval' now staring the country
in the face.
Plan to Break Prices.
AS Il step toward breaking the
high prices. plans are being made by
Secretary Baker. Postmaster Bur
Lesson and Representative Kelly, Of
Pennsylvania, to sell through the
parcel post surplus army food stocks
valued at $t24, 100000.
officials who attended the Attor
ney Generals conference declined to
discuss what took place. Mr.. Palmer
said that the conference was called
chiefly for the purpose Of making a
survey of the situation. developing
plans and machinery that might act
to curb prohteering
Universal PaStimc.
1T seems to be universal pas
time, putting this thing up to the
Attorney General" Mr.. Gregory said
smilngly. "Attempts have been made
to put the blame on this depart
mcnt"
There is great deal Of good
law on the statute books" the At
tOrney General declared.
When course is decided u,on
tho Federal Trade Commission is l.
derStood to be able to supply the
most extensive collection Of indus
u,t - 1 4 ~