The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-08-15
SWEEPING ATTACK
ON HIGH PRICES
Wilson to Go to Basic Conditions
in Whole Business Structure
OF Nation.
EXAMPLES ARE TO BE MADE.
Palmer Already Busy in Preparing to
Prosecute All Profiteers-Anti-Tr
Acts Studied and All Commodities
to Be Put Under Scrutiny.

Washington.-All the penal sections
of the food control act will be invoked
by department of justice in sweeping
prosecutions of individuals and firms
regarded as amenable under this act
This and his address to Congress
are the two principal measures
decided on by the President and the
executive agencies of the government
TO effect as immediate, even if slight,
reduction in prices.
Julius Fl. Barnes, director of the
United States Grain Corporation, de-
cided to maintain the price Of S2.26 a
bushel on wheat, the price guaranteed
by the government as reserve pro-
lection against a higher price later
The federal government campaign
against prices not only of foodstuffs,
but Of all other commodities that gen
orally 90 TO make up living costs, is to
be much broader than was at first
generally believed.
The whole price structure of the
nation is to be attacked vigorously,
and It was officially indicated that
many prosecutions of food and trust
law violators might be looked for in
the future. The administration pro-
poses to go to the fundamentals of
all prices, and 1t is likely that deter
mind effort will be made TO tear down,
in so far as they affect prices, the
close industrial organization and CO.
operation built up through the War
Industries Board during the war to
speed production.
Complete recommendations for adj
ministration action to meet the situa-
ton were laid before the President
by Attorney General Palmer. 1t Is
understood that the President is pre-
pared TO take immediate action on
them. They will not be made public,
however, until he lays them before
Congress.
Meantime the department of JUS
tee will go ahead with investigations
and possibly with criminal prosecu-
tons. The President has given APP
proval to plans outlined to him, and
they contemplate making an example
of all individuals or organizations
which have boosted prices through I'M
lawful means. This action is expect
ed to have salutary effect upon busi-
ness generally.
1t was learned that department of
justice action would not be confined
to dealers in foodstuffs, but would
reach out to all basic commodities.
Prosecutions are to be begun under
the Sherman and Clayton acts, as well
as the food control act.
In this connection significance may
be attached to the attendance of As
sistant Attorney General Ames at the
cabinet conference that preceded the
regular cabinet meeting at the White
House.
Judge Ames has been studying the
pending antitrust actions and reports
with reference TO alleged violations
of the Sherman law He also has
given much study and has directed a
wide inquiry into steel prices and the
unanimity of quotations TO the rail-
road administration when Director
General Hines sought competitive bids
Of steel after defeating efforts of the
defunct Industrial board of the depart
ment of commerce to reach an agreed
price. Director General Hines headed
the sub committee that drafted the
administration program.
Mr.. Palmer said at the White House
after his conference with and report
to the President that investigations by
his department, with a view to prose
cutions, We're being extended to all
of the basic industries, including steel.