Evening star., 1919-08-23
HOUSE W|DENS BILL
FOR FOOD CONTROL
Inclusion of Articles Used in
the Production of Neces- >.
sites Made.

Amendments to the food control act.
commonly referred to as "the anti
profiteering BILL" were passed by the
House without record vote late yes
terday in the form in which they were
reported by the committee. By this
action the provisions are extended to
include food, feed or fertilizers, fuel
oil and implements used in the pro-
duction Of necessities. A fine of $4,000
or two years imprisonment is speci-
fed.
Efforts to have the measure include
drastic action against rent profiteers
were unavailing, but the sentiment OF
the House was shown as in favor Of
particularly as affecting the District
of Columbia.
Efforts were made by both repub-
licans and democrats to have the
amendments provisions cover necessi-
ties other than those included in the
amendment, as reported by the agri-
culture committee.
Inclusion OF kerosene and gasoline
was proposed by Representative
Strong, republican, Kansas, who said
the prices of these products had in
creased 500 per cent in the last two
years. but his amendment was reject
ed by close vote. while that of Rep
resentative Newton. republican, Min
nesota, to include raw cotton. was
eliminated on. q point of order by
Representative Blanton. democrat,
Texas. =,
organizations within the jurisdiction
Of the amendment also were blocked.
Takes Political Turn.
Criticising President Wilson's fee
n a nf
connection between the present high
cost Of living and the league of ma
tions," Representative Rodenburg.
republican, Illinois. opened debate on
legislation would not be necessary
except for the inactivity and incom-
potency of the Department of Jus
tice"
an 1912" said Mr.. Rodenburg,
president Wilson said the high cost
derstandings, and the causes now, he
would have the country believe, are
because the league of nations agree
ment has not been ratified. I appeal
and instruct the Attorney General to
solve the problem OF living costs. He
should quit dreaming about spiritual
brotherhoods and devote his time to
duties of the Office to which he has
been elected,
TN the past six years there has not
been a single effort to bring profiteers
to justice. Since President Wilson took
the oath OF Office the Department of
Justice has never once applied the
Sherman antitrust law"
In Defense of President.
Answering Rodenburg, Representa-
tive Young, democrat, Texas, said the
republican majority in Congress had
made no move to reduce the high cost
Of living until the President had
urged action" and that now his sug-
gestions and those of Attorney Gen.
eral Palmer had been accepted by the
republicans as sane and righteous
conclusions"
Representative Wood. republican,
Indiana, declared that if any politics
had been injected into the high cost
of living ut was by the Presidents
speech two weeks ago"
Representative Heflin, democrat.
Alabama, charged that republican op-
position to the league of nations had
become so pronounced that the chap
lain Of the House was not permitted
to pray for acceptance of the league
Of nations" He said the chaplain had
offered such a prayer one morning
"and since then his lips have been
sealed by high member of the repub-
lican party.
Republican Leader Mondell said the
administration had neglected to act
against proflteers, while Representa-
tive Mason, republican, Illinois de-
clared the President was playing
politics with the high cost Of living"