Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-21
MAYOR SMITH
PASSES BUCK
ON HIGH COST
And While He's Talking the
Price of Coffee Is Raised
Again-to Continue
"Pr0be."

Cold storage figures offered to the
city council yesterday by Mayor
Smith, as having been obtained by
the police department, showed that
on August l8 there were 47,35S,S40
eggs and l6,935,l6 pounds of meat
in the local houses.
The mayors food probe, which
was resumed yesterday, did not
disclose anything sensational.
Coffee Up S Cents.
And while the mayor and the
county and federal officials con-
tinue to talk and mark time, coffee
has taken another jump Of 5 cents
per pound on the standard brands.
A concrete example of this raise
is illustrated in a popular brand of
coffee sold in two-pound cans, the
new price of which is $l.lO per can,
or S. cents per pound. The same
coffee was sold at 90 cents tor the
two pounds about three years ago.
Other high grade brands OF coffee
have been similarly advanced.
A shortage" of coffee is the rea-
son offered by the local coffee job
bers. But the consumer says the
big coffee growers are merely max
ing capital out of prohibition and the
increased coffee consumption IN the
United States.
1t was agreed by the mayor, city
commissioners and County Attorney
Shotwell, that the probe should be
continued next Friday night, when
commission men will appear. before
the coucil, and at the same time the
oue stion of increase in rents will be
taken up.
Passes the Buck.
1--WE have no power under the city
ordinances to proceed, but teel that
it is up to the county and federal
authorities to act. if in their Judg-
ment there is sufficient evidence on
which to base a prosecution, sad
Mayor Smith. with the evidence
before them, | feel they will do
something. | want the city legal de-
partment to do everything possible
to disclose the facts" -,
County Attorney Shotwell asked
the mayor to issue summons tor
commission men to appear at the
Friday evening hearing.
To Continue probe"
81 would like to know if there is
anv evidence to disclose concerted
action in the matters OF prices or OF
allowing foods to spoil" said the
county attorney. I'VE have no
state law to reach any individual
action of that nature. would sug-
gest that this investigation should
be continued and that we determine
whether there has been any col
fusion. Our Office must have suit
hcient evidence before we can pro-
ceed."
In moving that the rent situation
should be embraced in the inveSti-
CATION. Commissioner Butler stated
that he has heard of recent advances
in rent from SIS to $85. SIS to SO
and SIS to 500.
Prices on Eggs.
7. C. Woodward, representative
of the Western Weighing and In
spection Bureau, stated that the
prevailing price for eggs is 80 cents
a dozen to the farmers, SO cents to
the retailers, and from As to 50
cents to the consumer, leaving a
spread of Is to 20 certs a dozen be-
tween producer and consumer.
The warehouses are full of eggs
and there is little vacant space in
any of the storage houses" said Mr.
Woodward.
you are not so unsophisticated
as to believe that the law of sup
ply and demand controls the price
of eggs, are YOU" asked Mayor
Smith of the witness.
Mr.. Woodward smiled obviously
and then disclaimed any definite
knowledge of pricefixing in eggs.
Says Watermelons Spoiled.
R. J. DIPPED, joint freight agent
for the Rock Island and Great
Western, testified that three car
loads of watermelons received
August II and Is were now on
tracks and in a spoiled condition,
notwithstanding that the consignors
were notified within few hours af-
ter arrival of the cars. The con-
signors will be summoned to appear
before the city council Friday night.
Leo Sturh, secretary of the state
hoard OF agriculture, arrived in
Omaha yesterday to begin an inves-
tigation in connection with prices of
commodities. He will arrange for
hearings. Middlemen's profits will be
one of the chief matters to be con-
sidered.