Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-08

Attorney General Advocates
Fuel and Food Control
After Peace Declaration.

To protect this country from high
prices and profiteering. extension of
the Lever food and fuel control act
for at least six months after the proc
lamation of peace is necessary, At
torney General Palmer told the House
agriculture committee yesterday.
Unnatural economic conditions"
the Attorney General said, would be
taken advantage of by INSCRIPTIONS
people" 20 make the prices high I'M
less the powers granted under the act
are continued in force. These con-
the world.
1.-The conditions in the country i'm
mediately following peace make it
even more necessary that the law be
continued than the conditions that
prevailed and led to the enactment of
the original act" said the Attorney
General.
Original Purpose of Act.
1.-The act originally had for it's pur-
pose the increase of production, and
conditions that result in very high
prices Since the armistice prices
have been largely increased, and un-
less the government control is con-
tinued over some commodities the
after-war conditions may result in
higher prices than during the war it
SELF
Suggestions by committeeman that
extension of all sections of the law
was unnecessary were answered, the
General urging blanket ex-
tension, for, he said, unexpected sit
uations might arise" and that the
mere existence of the law would be
Of wholesome influence
The main purpose of the extension
would be to stop profiteering," de-
clared the Attorney General.
Coal Strike Discussed.
Answering questions regarding the
bituminous coal miners strike, the
General said that the De-
partment Of Justice had no legal
plans, other than it's injunction suit
at Indianapolis, for dealing with the
strike situation.
The failure of the men to carry out
the contract to work at a certain
wage during the war is the primary
cause, he said, in reply to a ques-
ton as to whether the strike was
due to the war conditions.
Under the law. the Attorney General
the President had power ITO take over
the coal mines, if he saw fit" He also
said that under the law the resur-
rected fuel administration could con-
tinue for six months after peace
Price-ffxing of food also is possible
under the law. but the Attorney Cen
eral said he knew of nothing that
use' of this authority.
Longer Extension May Be Needed.
Mr.. Palmer said that he was not
certain that the conditions making
extension Of the law advisa BILE would
end in six months, but he declared
that such a period would be as short
as Congress would undoubtedly wish
to make it,"
No suggestion was made during the
hearing about an effort to block the
President in lifting wartime prohibi-
ton. but in referring to the section
of the Lever act prohibiting manufac-
ture or import Of intoxicating liquor
the Attorney General said facetiously
sit would not be needed after next
January" when constitutional pro-
hibition becomes operative.
Action on the Attorney Generals
requests, both as to the extension of
the food control and making funds
available for an educational campaign
on the high cost of living. through
combating of Buy now campaigns,
was deferred until Monday by the
committee.