The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-06
Federal Officers to
Begin Ferreting
Out Hoarders

WASHINGTON, Aug 6.-Deci-
sions were reached yesterday by the
government agencies working to re-
duce the cost of living and allay the
country's unrest,
President Wilson decided to address
message to Congress recommending
additional legislation to aid in reduc-
ing the cost of living.
Agents of the Department OF JUS
tice were ordered to ferret out all
hoarders of necessaries and profiteers
throughout the country, they are to
be prosecuted under the food control
act.
Director julius H. Barnes, of the
grain corporation, decided to main
tain the governments guarantee of
wheat at 1926 bushel as Preserve
protection against higher price la
ter"
At the conclusion of today's activi-
ties by the President, the sub-com-
mittee of the cabinet appointed by
Acknowledgement Palmer and by the
encouragement himself, announce
ments were made of these immediate
steps to be taken ana OF the govern
ment's wheat policy.
In lengthy statement showing why
the price of wheat would rise but for
the government guarantee, Director
Barnes promised readjustment of
-four prices at the expense of the ma
tional treasury as authorized by Con-
gress, if later developments Indicated
a world price for wheat low9l than
the guarantee basis.
To Sell Flour.
Immediate steps will be taken to
sell standard export -four in every
community of the country in carload
lots at price not greater than $40
barrel, Mr.. Barnes announced. This
price, he added, is lower by one dol
lar barrel than any price ruling dur
ing the last four months.
Using figures described as coming
from the grain corporations own pri-
vate sources, Mr.. Barnes predicted a
shrinkage of probably 100000, 900
bushels" in the wheat production for
North America, 250,00O,000 bushels
of which is in the United States, from
the June forecast, and further
shrinkage in European wheat and rye
production of 100000 bushels out
side Russia.
The high cost of living was not dis
cussed at the regular Tuesdays cab
met meeting, but Attorney-General
Palmer remained after the meeting to
confer with the President and pre-
sented memoranda prepared by the
subcommittee stating what the gov
ernment was doing and what it pro-
posed doing under existing laws, and
possible additional laws to cope with
the situation.
To Begin Investigation.
The Department of Justice agents
throughout the country, the attorney
general said on leaving the President,
have been ordered to institute spe-
cial investigation to IND evidence of
boarding and profteering as prohibit
ed under the Lever food control act,
ans prosecutions will be instituted
without delay.
Attorney-General Palmer declined
to disclose what remedial lave were
suggested to the President or to go
into detail as to how the department
would proceed under the existing laws
beyond saying that operating under
the 7 ever act did not mean the func-
tions Of the food administration would
he assumed by the Department of
Justice.
Doubt was expressed by some legal
authorities of the government as to
whether penalty is provided for pro-
fitcering by the food control act, al
though penalties are provided ranging
from $1,000 to $4,000 or from two
to four Yeas or both for boarding
and other violations.