The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-08-05
PLAN DRIVE ON
HIGH FOOD PRICES
The President May Go Be-
fore Congress,
MANY PROBES UNDER WAY
Plan to Place Wheat on Market at
$50 and Excess Profit Tax on
Profiteers.

Profiteers
Washington, Aug. 5.-The battle
lines against the high cost OF living
were being drawn closer.
Definite proposals aimed TO brlng
down the soaring co.'s Of necessltles
had been virtually agreed upon by the
subcommittee composed of Walker
D. Hines, director Of railroads; X. q.
Leffingwell, assistant secretary OF the
treasury, and William d. Colver, head
of the trade commission, and Will be
laid before the entire presidential
committee and in turn discussed at
the regular cabinet meeting.
President Wilson returned from a
weekend cruise aboad the MayhoWer'
and devoted Il considerable part OF the
day to the cost of living situation.
Whether he will address congress
with reference to the cost OF living
and railroad problems would depend
to a great extent, it was said in White
House circles, on developments at the
cabinet meeting. The belief that he
would make these questions the SUBJ
iect of a special address was grow
ing in official circles.
Reports reaching the department Of
Justice indicated that local inVesti-
cations have been started IN many
communities. These, it was expected,
would result in developments which
will be considered when the time
comes for determining a course of
action in Washington.
Excess profit taxes on all food COM
modities were considered in the SEN
ate as the most likely means to lower
tn cost of living.
Senator Capper, Republican, Kan
sas, who has been making an lnten-
sive study of the question, announced
that he had under consideration the
ACCESSIBILITY of introducing bill which
would provide for an excess profits
tax on food commodities, thereby
limiting profits and checking the oper-
ations of profteering. Such leglsla-
ton would curb the small prohteer,
Senator Capper pointed out, as well
as the large pIOulSSl'
"The packer isn't the only man who
is making large profits" the senator
said. "although l must admit he is
an adept in the art. The small deal
ers are making large profits and an
excess profits tax upon them would
render their profteering ineffective"
That there is a disposition upon the
part of the large packers to shift the
blame for high living costs to the
retailers was indicated in a letter
which Senator Capper received from
an official of Armour & Co. Senator
Capper had pointed out that while the
price of cattle was going down, the
price of hides was going up:
The letter from the official of the
packing concern declared the price on
beef had been greatly lowered and
had been made up by the increase in
Senator Capper to start an investiga-
ton into the activities of the retail
dealers of shoes and other by-prod-
ucts, suggesting that the inquiry
would show huge profits being made
by the retailer.
The sub committee of government
officials has agreed upon this program,
it is stated:
For the government Immediately to
buy a billion bushels of wheat at the
guaranteed price of 1926 a bushe1,
and Immediately place it back on the
market at $3.50 bushel, the govern
ment to take up the entailed loss of
$76O,OOO0OO
For summary action through the
department of justice under the So
called Lever law, the act creating the
food and fuel administration. This
law gives the government sweeping
powers and has some sections not
even used during the war, which it
is now proposed to bring into play as
a means Immediately at hand to get
a strangle hold on all profteers, spec
ulators and hoarders.
For all departments of the govern
ment to disgOrge Immediately and
throw onto the open market every
thing it has in the way of surplus
supplies. This would include not
alone everything in the way of food
stuffs, but clothes, blankets, shoes
and all sorts of goods of this descrip-
ton and might even include some
fua1