The sun., 1919-08-10
MEN
TO SEARCH FOR
ANDSEIZE FOOD
Profiteers, Big and Little,
Will Face Criminal and
Civil Actions.
AGENTS. ORDERS GO OUT
Congress Will Get Flood of
Bills Tomorrow to Aid in
Fight on High Costs.
AGENTS. ORDERS GO OUT
spso,ar ps.putoA TO rur sus.


WASHINGTON, Aug. e.-Real action
in the Department of Justice cam
paign against the high cost of living
is not expected until Grand Juries are
called in the various Federal districts
throughout the country. While no Of
ficial statement win be made by the
Department because Of the instruc-
tions to District Attorneys to use their
discretion and act on their own initia-
tive, there are Indications Of a number
Of actions. criminal and civil. in addi-
ton to those to be fled against the
Ave big packers.
In speeding up the work in the va
rious Federal districts the Attorney
General sent out Instructions to spe-
cial agents OF the Department to put
aside all other tasks except those Of
the highest importance and to concen-
trate upon Investigations of profiteer-
ing and food boarding.
The Attorney General contemplates
an extensive search Of food supplies In
all forms OF storage and In transit
throughout the country. Movements
Of food products are to be watched to
prevent the defeat OF investigation OF
blind" shipments from one locality to
another of products ostensibiy des-
tined to market.
Special U. .. Agents to Help.
Special agents of the Department are
instructed to cooperate with District At
torneys and United States marshals.
Word has been passed out that the aid
Of local authorities Is also to be sought
in efforts to ferret out hoarders and
profiteers.
There was widespread discussion OF
the Presidents message on the subject
to-day. and when the Senate and House
convene Monday deluge Of bills is ex-
pected. These measures will be rushed
to committees for action
The Presidents recommendations will
be considered by a special committee in
the Senate and they will be acted on by
the Interstate Commerce and Agricul-
| tural committees in the House. The raft
of bills expected will be sent through
the same committees for sitting and for
the drafting OF a legislative programme
] There is little doubt that serious con-
| sideration will be given in Congress to
embargoes, to -four subsidy and other
measures that were thrown out OF the
Administration programme.
| In the House Representative Mondel
! (Wyo), the Republican leader. an.
| nounced that Congress stood ready tC
make the further appropriations sought
! by President Wilson in his address yes.
terday. IAN appropriations found neces'
sary and needed will be made as soor
! as possible" said Mr.. Mondell, qualify
ing his statement with the hope that the
appropriation bills would be submitted
as soon as possible.
Cold Storage Hearings Tomorrow
! Representative Haugen (Iowa), chair.
man of the House Agricultural Commit
tee, announced that hearings on the new
| cold storage legislation. as proposed by
| the President, wou.i be started Monday
| The measure. according to present plans
| will limit the length OF time in which
| food supplies and necessaries may b,
| held In storage and will force distribu
tiOn after a permitted period.
Many members Of Congress are cen
tring attention upon import and expor
figures from the Department of Com
merce showing the important part food
stuffs have played In exports from thu
country In recent months. They ar,
still convinced that a restriction Of ex
ports would have an immediate and ap
preciable effect upon prices.
Department Of Commerce figures snow
that foodstuffs formed 40 per cent. o
the total of $685.. .o0o,o 900 of goods ex
ported in June. Sixteen million bushel
OF wheat and $500. 900 barrels of whea
-four were exported during the month
This was in addition to 1900, 900 bushel
of rye, 100000 bushels OF barley ant
other grains and grain products value,
at 3l7,000.000.
One hundred and seventy-four milllo
dollars worth of meats and dairy prod
ucts were exported. the principal item
being 270, 600. 900 pounds OF bacon an
ham, 117.oo0. 900 pounds of lard an
lis, 900. 900 pounds Of condensed milk
In addition raw material to the valu
OF millions OF dollars representing prod
ucts that 20 into commodities that ente
into the cost OF living we're exported.