The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-07-31
REDUCE
COST Of
LIVING
Plea Of Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers to Presi-
dent Wilson, is Con-
sidered.
TAKE UP WITH CABINET
Ohio Produce Firms Charged With
Fixing Prices Regardless Of
Shipping and De-
mand.
TAKE UP WITH CABINET

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.l
WASHINGTON, July 31.-"Deep
and careful consideration" is being
given by President Wilson to the re-
quest of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers that he take immedi-
ate action toward reducing the cost
iof living. This was stated authori-
tatively at the white house today.
One of the first steps to be taken
by Wilson will probably be to lay
the whole vital matter before his
cabinet for consideration. The next
regular meeting of the cabinet is
next Tuesday, but it was believed a
special meeting might be called.
The president. it was stated at the
white house has not yet decided on
any definite action.
Fixing Of Prices.
COLUMBUS, Ohio. July 31.-Al-
legged "gentlemen's agreements" per-
mitting produce firms in the big cen
ters Of the state to corner perish
able foods, were under IRE here To-
day by Ohio prosecutors IN confer
ence on the problem OF curblng
prices and profteers.
Evidence gathered In various coun.
ties indicated that these agreements
permitted one firm to control tre
butter market, another TO dominate
the potato market, while others hello
control over berries, fruits and other
perishable stuff.
Prices on these commodities were
fixed arbitrarily from day TO day
without regard for the law Of sup
r1u nd fhn
charged. Next to the meat trust, the
fruit trust. one official charged.
Cases were cited where whole car
loads of fruits were dumped and pel-
obtained in the cities.
Many truck gardeners w,re in
agreement with produce merchants
not to sell direct to the conyuner,
Governor Cox and Attorney General
Price, directing the investigation,
were told.
Governor Cox blamed the high cost
Of food stuffs and living in general
for unrest in the United States and
urged the prosecutors to wage un-
remitting war against protiteers In
their respective counties.
Campaign Gathers Momentum,
WASHINGTON, July 31.-The presl-
dent, it is known, Is tremendously in
terested in reports by the federal
trade commission on it's investigation
OF the packers.
Friends Of the Kenyon bill to regu-
late the packers, drawn after publicar
ton Of these reports, will have the
support of the president, advocates of
the measure declare.
A resolution drawn by Representa-.
tive Wood, Is pending in the house,
asking Wilson what additional au.
thority he needs to bring down prices.
Action on this is expected soon.
Sale to the public through the postal
service Of the army's surplus food
stores, now in progress, will result in
only temporary drop in living costs.
according to economic experts here
today. Therefore, placing of this food
on the market will not check the cam.
paign, rapidly gathering momentum in
the capital to permanent reduce
prices, it was indicated.
The various investigations of indus.
tries here are attracting widespread
judging from the number of
letters from all parts of the country
received by chairmen Of the commit.
tees.
Scope of the investigation appeared
broadened today by introduction of
two resolutions by Representative
Igoe, Missouri, directing the federal
trade committee to look into an al
legged scheme to increase immediately
the price of shoes. also directing the
ways and means committee to ascer-
tain whether corporations are making
enough to pay their taxes.
(Ennfinued IN paoa oN