New-York tribune., 1919-08-02
Economic Ills of Country
Developed While He
Was Abroad, Republican
Whip Knutson Declares
Bills Offered
In Both Houses
Committee of Three to
Report to Cabinet ON
the Remedy Monday

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-Develop-
ments to-day in the efforts Of the
government to reduce the high cost of
living were:
The House, at the request Of
President Wilson, agreed to defer it's
planned five weeks recess and con-
slider demands Of railroad employees
for increased wages to meet the high
prices.
The national officers of the
Brotherhood of Railway Conductors
conferred with President Wilson re-
garding increased wages and the cost
of living.
The Senate again discussed in
creased living costs, but postponed
action on the Myers resolution, pro-
posing reduction in currency circula-
tion.
The committee Of three, appointed
yesterday to consider means of re-
ducing living expenditures and re-
port to President and Cabinet Mon
day, began work.
The House Interstate Commerce
Committee reported favorably
resolution directing the Federal
Trade Commission to investigate the
increased price of shoes.
Resolutions and bills designed to
alleviate conditions Of living were
introduced in both houses Of Con-
gress.
House Complies Quickly
OF the half-dozen important develop
ments. however, the request Of Presi-
dent Wilson that the House forego its
recess at least temporarily to conside-
wage requests of the railroad workers
and to study economic conditions was
the most unexpected.
The alacrity with which the House
complied with the request was taken as
an indication of the deep impression
made on members of Congress by pleas
for relief from all parts of the country.
President Wilson, it WAS said at the
White House, had the subject of eco
nomic conditions before him in va
riety of phases. In making his request
to the House, he said that he expected
important recommendation ."within q
fortnight" from his advisers.
Shortly before the President sent his
request to the House it was learned
that the conference Of Cabinet mem
bers and other officials assembled yes
tcrday by Attorney General Palmer to
initiate measures for relieving the
reassemble Tuesday and would have a
new member in the person of julius
Barnes, director of the United States
Grain Corporation. An invitation to
him to attend was interpreted to-day
as meaning that serious consideration
would be given to the proposal to sell
wheat at the market price, allowing the
government to absorb the difference
between that and the $226 guaranteed
the farmer.
Would Cut Other Prices
Several officials have expressed the
opinion that a free market for wheat
would result in declines in the price of
Hour, which would bring down other
staples materially
stood to be prepared to put the entire
law-enforcing machinery of the govern
ment back of any campaign that may
be decided upon to stop extortion in
the prices of necessaries.
The Presidents letter urging post
ponement of the recess was addressed
to Speaker Gillett, Republican Leader
Mondell, Senator Cummns, of Iowa, and
Representative Esch, chairman of the
House Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce. The lateness of the
request brought an outburst of indig-
nation. divided almost equally between
Democrats and Republicans.
Representative Kitchin, of North
himself mot surprised" but voiced the
sentiment of many Democrats by saw
ing the House should have been told
sooner.
Turn of the Republicans
Representative Kitchin told the Re.
publicans that after the Democrats had
been led about at will by the President
for six years, 1t was now the Republi-
cans turn to mark time at the Presi-
dents whim.
Representative Knutson, Republican
whip, declared the Presidents prolonged
absence from this country and his un-
pardonable failure to cali Congress in
extra session Immediately after March
undoubtedly caused the very condi-
tions complained of in his letter to
Mr.. Mondell.
Most OF the large committees in
charge Of important bills which will
tend to correct the condition which the
President mentions are not ready tc
report" he said, "and greater speed
would be made if the House will re-
cess and allow the committees to work
without molestation."
"lt will take z month for the rail
road bill to be reported out" Repre-
sentative Anthony, Of Kansas. said. at
will take three months to report out g
bill to reorganize the army. The Sen.
ate will not consider anything but the