Evening journal., 1919-08-13
GLASS in Fight
On PROFITEERS
Will Turn Loose Secret
Service Operatives in
Food Hunt
FESS SCORES THE
ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, Aug. i3.-Presldent
! Wilson yesterday asked Congress for
authority 10 use the Secret Service
I agents in unc0yerlng food boards and
obtaining evidence TO prosecute prof.
! lteers in all necessities OF life.
The Secret Service VIII be used IN
addition to The Department OF Justice
operatives, and for the work the Pres-
dent asked Congress TO make $4,000
additional funds Immediately available.
The Federal Trade Commission also
asked Congress. for s5OO,OOO TO carry
on It's investigation Of high prices and
to inform the people OF cost figures Of
all commodities. The estimate indi-
Gales the commission will soon begin
wide campaign Of publicity TO IN
form the public what is a fair price for
necessities.
The requests, which indicate at least
a determined effort on the part Of the
executive departments 10 punish prof.
lteers and thus reduce the cost OF llv-
Ing. were the first estimates OF addl-
tlonal funds needed that Congress has
received since President Wilson in his
address said more money must be ap-
proprlated TO carry on the reduction
program. Republican leaders have
promised prompt action on all such es-
Inmates.
In Transmitting the Presidents re-
quest Secretary OF the Treasury Glass, !
who has charge of the secret service,
explained that additional authority was
needed TO use this branch In hunting !
Ioou hOards since a clause granting the |
President power to use the service as /
ne saw tit during an emergency was /
omitted from the sundry civil act for |
the present fiscal year
The letter OF Secretary Glass, unlike /
other estimates. bore the specific ap-
proval OF the President in his hand
II follows:
The cooperation Of the secret ser
vice has been asked in the campaign
10 be waged against food hoarders and
prollteers because these secret service
agents were employed as the investi-
eating force of the Food Administration
Turing The fiscal years 1913 and 1919
md are therefore especially equipped TO
'ender valuable service now.
This aid cannot be extended now he
ause the clause authorizing the Presi-
lent ITO direct, without reference TO ,
Xisting limitations, The use of secret
efNlce agents was omitted from the
undry civil bin passed recently and for
ne additional reason that the appro- :
riation which sustans the field opera /
ions Of the service is Inadequate. Il
! therefore beg 10 amend The est- h
late Of a deficiency in the appro- d
Ration for the service submitted with D
ny letter Of July 2s, 1919 by increasing
nc amount asked for to $4,000 and
ne Inclusion OF the clause:
ITO provide further that until June p
D. 1920, the President is authorized Y
direct without reference to existing
mutations the use Of persons employ ~
4 hereunder II in his judgment an 2
mergency exists which require such
ctiOn."
IL Is respectfully urged that this re- E
uest receive immediate attention in or
err that the services OF these agents
lay become available a. soon as possi- .
Ie Respectfully.
CARTER GLASS.
Approved Woodrow Wilson.
Secretary Glass in the estimate of
NY % referred TO, had asked for si25-
o to be used in The regular work of