The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-16
DEMOCRATS IN
FIGHT TO STAY
PALMER'SHAND
Southern Senators Start
Filibuster Against Effort
to Reach PrOfiteer.
COTTON PRICES INVOLVED
Ransdell Says Measure Will Be
Debated Until Food Con-
troll Bill Dies.
SpecinI Despntch 10 TIE SuN.

Special Despdtch TO The Sun.
WASHINGTON, Aug. ia filibuster
In the Senate. with Southern Demo-
Gratis leading It, threatens any effort to
amplify the food control statutes In
the fight to reduce the high cost Of
living. This was made evident to-day
at a meeting of the Senate Committee
on Agriculture when the subject Of
provision for penalizing merchants
who make unfair or unreasonable
rates or charges came up for discus
sion.
This means the prosecution Of the
individual for a wholly new and here
tofore unheard of crime" said Senator
Smith (Ga). "I for one am not pre-
pared yet to lend my vote to it,
ITS a very dangerous step" averred
Senator Ransdell La.), cutting in, and
Senator Gronna IN. d., chairman Of
tho committee, remarked that the
farmers would oppose it tooth and nail.
as It bore directly upon them and their
business.
80 far as I'm concerned" asserted
Senator Smith Is. c., "I1l fight It
anyhow and the Attorney General is
not going to get such legislation with
out fight. He has too much power
a. II is"
/. Only thinly veiled were the threats
that the Southern Democrats Of the COM
mittee intended TO combat to the last
ditch any further increase in the eX-
scope OF the existing law which might
in any circumstances, influence the price
of cotton or restrict the freedom OF that
market,
VIII BE Debated indefinitely.
II know that II this bill ever gets to
the floor it will take sixty days of de-
bale before it can he passed proclaimed
Senator RsnsdeN. II know one Senator
alone who will talk for six days on it,
s"At the end OF sixty days peace will
have been ratified" interJected Senator
Smith (Ga,). and then the food control
bill Itself dies"
There is an evident spirit Of combat
against the proposed Strengthening OF
the Attorney Generals hands on the
part of the farmers. Delegations rep
resentins the National Board of Farm
Organizations and the National Grange
have sought opportunity to appear before
the committee and will attend to-mor-
rows session.
Senator Thomas (Col) suggested to-
day in a speech to the Senate that, mas
much as striking is more popular thar
ever In the country, Congress might give
an illustration OF It's benefits by alsC
going on strike.
"Why shouldn't the Senate and the
House go on strike for better cond!-
tions OF living and work?' he asked
"Psrticularly for immediate assurance
that we will be reelected next year.
Then the Senate Committee of Foraisgr
Relations might strike to enforce its de
mRnd that the President shall agree tc
Its conditions regarding the treaty be
fore 4 will resume action.
How ridiculous such a thing sounds
yet IL would be quite parallel to mucl
OF the strike movement that has seized
the country. We seem to have a strik,
disease afiicting the world. 1t presently
Will ub q Ot, LOT AIN
by the strikers II It continues"
Again Quotes "The sun"
Mr.. Thomas read an article from tn,
THE SUN of to-day. telling Of strike
OF grave diggers and the reassurins
comment OF the authorities that pend
ing the strike the men still at work prob
ably would handle the business as no
| many people were dying Just now. TIL,
Senator followed this with a synopsi
| OF the days strike news in THE SUN
and proceeded to philosophize about tn,
melancholy spectacle presented by th'
, country. More strikes than ever befor,
! In the midst OF prosperity that IS real
though perhaps some what stimulated b.
| artificial causes, he found.
Senator Reed (Mo) spoke on the cos
of living problem. discussing It as
| world issue which must be met by ap
plication OF the humble virtues OF saving
| thrift. greater production. He saw n,
possibility Of finding panaceas and wa
sure that under-production, waste ant
| imitation of currency must be regarded
as the real causes, rather than prohteer
| ing. The remedy, he was sure. lay Il
giving the widest freedom TO industr!
| and commerce, IN removing every un
nece ssary restriction. and above all Civ
| ing business the assurance that It coul,
20 ahead in confidence that it woul,
! have a fair chance,
! Eject of InhatIon.
| "A radical increase in the circulation
| OF money causes a decrease in its Dur