The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-31
President Giving Thoughtful
Consideration to Problem.
Announcement Is Made at the
White House Today.
ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES BUSY
Start Selling of S125,OOO,OOO
Worth of Army Supplies.
Every Postmaster and Carrier
Will BE Salesman.

Washington. July 31.-President
Wilson is giving deep and very
thoughtful consideration" to the high
cost OF living, it was announced today
at the White House and all branches
OF the government that might aid in
solving the problem are at work.
with every postmaster and carrier
IN the country acting as a salesman
the war and postoffice depaI ---.snts to-
day got under way the governments
plan TO help the nati,n drive away the
high cost Of living wclf thru distribu-
tion at cost Of approximately 12,00O,-
600 worth Of surplus army foo IFS.
Under arrangements for aale of the
food made at a conference yesterday
Of Secretary Baker. Postmaster Cen
er-I Burleson and Representative Kel-
ley Of Pennsylvania, authors of the
house resolution directing sale I'd dis
tribution Of food thru the parcel post
war department officials were prepar-
ing a priC list covering Y available
surplus.
At Much Lower Cost.
The list will be sent to the country's
81, postmasters thruout the country,
as well as to all rural mail carriers
who will inform consumers of prices
and methods of sale and take orders.
Payment must be made when the
order is taken for which receipt will
be given so that the purchaser may
be reimbursed in event the order can
not be filled thru exhaustion of the
supply or ror other reasons. The army
food to be available to the public
at much lower prices than those pre-
vailing in the retail trade consists
chiefly of canned vegetables corned
-n4a. mt
beef and fresh frozen meats and poul-
try.
Supports Kenyon Bill?
The president, it is known. is tre-
mendously Interested in reports by the
federal trade commission on its in
vestigation of the packers. Friends of
the Kenyon bill to regulate the pack
ers. drawn after publication of these
reports, will have the support of the
president, advocates of the measure
declare.
a resolution drawn by Representa-
tive wood is pending in the house
asking President Wilson what addi-
tional authority he needs to bring
down prices. Action on this is ex-
pected soon
Sale to the public thru the postal
service of the army's surplus food
stores will result in only a temporary
drop in living costs, according to eco
nomic experts here today. Therefore.
placing OF this food on the market will
not check the campaign rapidly gath
ering momentum in the capital to per-
manently reduce prices, it was indi-
Gated.
Investigations Spreading.
The various Investigations OF indus
tries here are attracting widespread
attention. judging from the number of
letters from all parts of the country
received by chairmen Of the commit
tees.
Scope Of the investigation appeared
broadeued today by Introduction of
two resolutions by Representative
lEoe' Missouri, directing the federal
trade commission to look into an all
legged scheme to increase Immediate
~ the price of shoes, also directing
inc ways ana means committee to as
certain whether corporations are max
ing money TO pay their taxes, under
the war revenue bill by raising prices.
Prohteering is responsible for high
costs, according to the brotherhood
or Locomotive Engineers The sd-
Nisory board of the brotherhood. six
teen men. headed by Warren $. stone
called on President Wilson late yes-
terday.
Railroad Men to Wilson
At this time we find ourselves
Obliged to again request an Increase