Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-18
PROBE OF PACKERS
BEGINS IN SENATE
COMMITTEE TODAY
Monopolies Gained by Them
in By-Products to Be
Investigated.
MOST IMPORTANT INQUIRY
CONDUCTED BY CONGRESS
Many More Seizures of Stored
Supplies Are on
Program.
CAN BUY AT LESS COST
Estimated S1O,OoO,OOO Worth of
Butter. Eggs and Other Ediblcs
Are in Governments Hands.
CAN BUY AT LESS COST
nv Universal Service y

WASHINGTON. Angus; 1T n c
governments campaign 10 reduce the
high cost OF living. which has met
with energetic response from Gov
ernors. Mayors, food administrators
and district attorneys working under
the Department Of Justice throughout
the nation. is expected 10 reach a
climax this week.
In the United States Senate the Com
mittee on Agriculture viii begin at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning tho inves-
tisatton OF the packers and the mo-
nopoi!es gained by. them in hundreds
b. ;he Federa ana Tfade '1UVs ls
findings.
This investigation promises to be
congress. several hundred witnesses
VII appdar' among the, first, being
Trade Commission. The Investigation
will revolve about the bin introduced
license packers. stockyards and per-
sons engaged in manufacturing dairy
products and preparing poultry pro-
ducts whose business exceeds 5000, 900
year.
AS result Of Investigations CON
OF Justice and BY opera tives working
under United States district attorneys
AT the direction Of the Attorney-Gen-
foods stored in various parts Of the
country expected to be made dur
ing the week
Courts Confirm Libela.
AS rapidly as these libel proceed
inEs arc confirmed by court action in
favor OF the government the con
Gemned stores viii be sold and the
public consumer given opportunity 10
buy the foodstufs az prices much re-
duced from current market quotations.
ter. eggs and other foods have already
been seized in different cities o. the
ccuntry; which await court condemna-
market 10 reduce the high cost OF
In determining what constitutes
the food control act. the fair price com
mittees appointed through the instru-
at the request OF Attorney
Palmer will play an important part.
These committees. according 20 word
already been organized in many Of the
larger oities; and they are proceeding
to publish lists Of the fair prices"
Attorney-General Palmer has signi-
hsd his intention Of CO. operating With
he is personally able. He Will meet
with the New York City fair-price
mittees in the District Of Columbia
which are ,endeavoring to cope with
the cost Of living. which is inordinateiy
high in the nations capital. The sub.
ject, OF rents is also to be considered
by the District committee.
Rapid Action Expected.
Congress is expected to take rapid
General Palmer's reques, that the
teeth, be given the food control act
effective prosecution of profiteers
The amended bill, which the Attor-
ney-General so urgently recommends
maximum fine of $1,000, or a Sentence
or Two years, or both. for protiteers
fonIro sonna gully ael Of yo!sting the food
also recommends that the act be eS-
tended ted TO- to include clothing;; 1t is en-
reported out favorably by the com
miLtec so a prompt vote may be taken
TT The ,.sa sale of sSo6;;ooo,ooo of surplus
means Of parcel post will begin tomor-
row Officials Of the War and of the
PoSt-ofhce Departments will begin
foods from. the surplus stores. List OF
foods available and their prices have
been bIsn puonsned srsneod and q system of order
been directed to collect postage for
only one priced zone and disregaTd
rates from other zones.
Mayors VIII Aid Fight.
Mayors from twenty of the leading
cities of New Jersey will arrive in
Washington tomorrow morning TO an
pear befor" tho House Committee on on
living ard the prices food products
are carrying The delegation will be
Suits against the big hve packers
for combinations in restraint of trade
in violation OF the Sherman antitrust
act will be filed very shortly. These
suits will constitute the biggest anti
trust prosecution that has been had in
recent years and will bear directly on
tho high cost of living.
>, Other Investigations along various
lines affecting the cost of living and
IN the Department of Justice. While
has not been revealed, ii is under
stood that clothing. sugar and coal
are matters which are receiving the
attention Of Department of Justice
agents. Reports OF destruction of food
in order to maintain high prices are
also being investigated.
Since the Introduction OF the hill by
Senator Kenyon. of Iowa. providing for
the licensing Of the packers, the mem
bers of both Houses of Congress have
been swamped with hundreds of tele-
grams and communicate pro and con.
Many of these telegrams are due to tho