The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-11-08
MUST BATTLE
H.C. Of |. WITH
FOOD CONTROL
Attorney General Paine
Tells House Committee Con-
ditions Are to Be Met

WASHINGTON. Nov. 7.--Extcnsion OF
the Lever food and fuel control law for
six months after the proclamation OF
peace Is necessary to protect the coun'
try from high prices. Attorney General
Palmer today told the house agriculture
committee.
Unnatural economic conditions" the
attorney general said. woul be taken
advantage of by INSCRIPTIONS people.
to make prices high unless the powers
granted under the act are continued in
force. These conditions. he said. pre-
vailed throughout the world.
THE conditions in the country I'M
mcdiatcly following peace make It even
more necessary that the law be continu.
ed than the conditions that prevailed
and led to tho enactment OF the original
act" said the attorney general.
Higher Than War Prices.
The art originally had for its pur-
poses the increase Of production and to
protect tho people from wartime condi.
tions that result in very high prices
Since the armisticc. prices have very
largely increased. and unless the govern
mcnt control is continued over some
commodities. the aftcr-war conditions
may result in higher prices than during
tho wa ritself."
Suggestions by committeeman that e1-
tension Of all sections. Of tho law was
unnecessary were answered by tho attor'
ncy general urging blanket extension for
he said unexpected "situations might
arise" and that the mere existence q: thC
law would be Of wholesome influence.
The main purpose of the extension
would be u stop profitcering," declared
the attorney general.
The Miners Strike.
Answering questions regarding the bi'
luminous coal miners strike. the nttorn.
cy general said that the department OF
Justice had nd legal plans, other than its
Injunction suit at indianapolis. for deal
ing with the strike situation.
The failure OF the men 10 carry out
the contract 10 work at certain wage
during the war Is the primary cause. "
he added. in reply to n question as 10
whether the strike was due TO war con-
ditions.
Under the law. the attorney general
declared in response to question
whether the president had power ito
take over the coal mines If he saw fit.
He also said that under the law tho re-
surrcctcd fuel administration could con-
tinue for six months after peace. Price
fixing of food also is possible under the
law. but the attorney general said he
knew Of nothing that contemplated
use" of this authority.
Mr.. Palmer said that he was not Ger"
tain that the conditions making cxtcil-
sion Of the law advisable would end In
six months. but he declared that such a
pcriod would hr MS short as congress
would undoubtedly wish to- make It,.
As To Prohibition.
No suggestion was made during the
hearing about an effort to block tho
president in lifting wartime prohibition
but in referring to the section of the
Lever act, prohibiting manufacture or
imnort Of intoxicating liquor the attor-
nov general said facctiously "it would
not he needed after next January" when
constitutional prohibition becomes "rcr,
ntivc.
Action on tho attorney generals re-
quest both as to tho extension OF the
food control and making funds available
for an educational campaign on tho high
cost Of living through combating OF
buy now" campaigns. was deferred un-
iii Monday by the committee.