East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-09
Stand on Treaty Signing
Surprise of Message; Sug-
gesti0ns Concrete.
DEFINITE ACTION is
BEING TAKEN TODAY
Army of Secret Service
Agents Turned Loose by
Flash From Washington.


WASHINGTON. Aug. g.-Congress
took it's first definite action on Pres
ident Wilson'S suggestions for re-
duction of the cest of living today. At
a conference Of the senate commerce.
committee. Chairman Cummings was
authorized to name sub-committee
TO begin work along lines outlined in
the presidential message
Army Turned Loose.
WASHINGTON. Aug. S.-Amerf-
cas- army Of secret service agents was
turned loose ON food hoarders today.
Orders. flashed from Washington to
hundreds OF special operatives Of the
bureau OF Investigation and the de-
partment of justice ~all over the Unit
ed States. instructing them 10 cooper
ate with federal and district ator-
neys In the profiteer hunt
This adds much strength to the
force which is devoting all its energy
to a fight to open warehouses and
putting food on the market to force
down prices.
WASHINGTON. Aug Congress
will Immediately begin consideration
of legislation to execute at least n
part OF President wilson's recommen-
dations for reducing the cost OF liv-
ing. house and senate leaders today
promised.
Representative MondelI. majority
leader of the house. said any request
for money to make an effective cam
paign against profiteers will be
speedily granted He said he has no
opposition to- extending the Lever
food control act il 1t is believed me-
cess.ry. Senator Lodge. majority
leader Of the senate. said: II think
the president made some good. prac-
teal suggestions in regard to artiff-
cial and extortionate prices for the
necessaries of life. 7 am sure con-
gress will deal with them immedi-
ately."
Bills Now Pending.
number of the presidents sug-
gestions have been covered in bills
now pending COMMITTEES action on
these measures will be urged neat
week They include bills for regula-
tion of storage plants. and for stamp
ing prices on food PRODUCES q
Comment from members OF both
parties showed that some of Wilson's
regarding legislation met
with general approval and that his
stand against labor strikes as a means
Of enforcing their demnds is ap-
proved. His appeal for ratification
Of the treaty APPARENTLY caused some
..The president is taking unfair ad-
vantage by using the high cost OF
living issue as a club to force ratifi-
fation of the league of nations.'' said
Senator Brandegee. HE can have
peace in two days il he win agree to
excluding the United
States from the league of nations"
Mondells willingness to re-enact
he Lever food law as a peace time
measure is not shared by all members
IF the house. a number of senator's
also expressed exposition to the plan.
Il am against further extension of
said Senator Gronna.
The president has all the authority
ne needs"
The recommendation for federal IL
censing of all corporations in inter-
state business did not appear to be
approved There is pend
ing in the senate. however. a bill
which would create such a licensins
system.
Address Specific. >.
The presidents address was in con-
trast with those he has delivered on
the peace treaty in that 1t was always
specific. He set forth not only COM
but in full detail the
facts of present production of all
food stuffs the extortions In price and
he methods by which the law OF sup
ply and demand is being set aside by
profiteers He stated what could
be done under existing law by way of
remedying unjustifiable conditions
of. and made specific
for further legisla-
tion TO make certain the results de-
sired.
1t was this specific character OF the
address which seemed TO
make il so much more satisfactory TO
the members of congress than any OF
the addresses which he has made up
on the peace, The big surprise OF the
was the presidents assertion
that failure to ratify the peace treaty
was largely responsible for the unsat-
,s.e, o@,-,, .ooaiffous of living