The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-31
LABOR URGES CUT
IN COST OF LIVING



come has been substantially decreased
when compared with pre-war prices.
The brotherhood OF Locomotive En-
gineers appreciates the fact that all
wages are being increased and that con-
slant demands are flowing ID the en-
ployer. and we must. OF necessity, be
mindful OF the interests Of our craft, but
we do not believe that increasing the
compensation. accompanied by a greater
increase in the cost OF commodities of
life, will produce lasting benefits to our
craft or to the American citizen in gen.
eral.
Appeals Made as Citisens.
1.-THE unanimous opinion Of the ad-
visory board. our duty to the locomotive
engineers and to our country as Amerl-
can citizens impelled US to seek an au-
dience with you and your Cabinet for
the purpose Of laying this situation be-
fore you. and we trust that you can
find way to Immediately inaugurats
executive action to remedy II.
I'VE trust that you may find 1t con-
sistent to give us, I'm the near future,
something definite as TO what we may
expect that will aid In guiding us as to
our future actions, hoping that you ap-
preciate the spirit that has prompted this
action on our part"
III HIS announcement tnat lnNeStlsd-
lions were under way Attorney General
Palmer said he could not indicate their
nature. He did give assurance, however.
that the inquiries might have some effect
in reducing prices, Indicating that viola
ton of laws to prevent concerted raising
OF prices might be responsible for the
present upward trend.
At the same time the Attorney Cen
eral admitted that economic causes also
we're factor in the present high prices
There is no doubt that the majority OF
the people are more prosperous than
ever before" said Mr.. Palmer. Farmers
and wage earners especially are pros
porous. The man who has suffered from
high prices has been the salaried man.
the clerk. 1 hope to do something to
aid him and am open for suggestions"
Food offered By Mail.
Through the postmasters OF the coun-
try the War Department will offer to-
morrow direct to consumers. its present
available supply Of surplus foodstuffs
amounting to approximately 941 900, 900
pounds This surplus, consisting of can
ned vegetables and meats. is expected to
be sold within week at prices repre-
senting the cost OF tho Government plus
postage.
arrangements LOT LI0 tAle VI In6 IOOQ-
stuffs, directed by resolution adopted
yesterday by the House, were made to-
day at a conference held by Secretary
Baker with Post Office Department off,
Gals and Representative Kelley (Pa.),
author of the resolution.
Secretary Baker at the close OF the
conference said price list covering the
entire available surplus would be pre-
pared at once by Assistant Secretary
Crowell. This list. II was said at the
Post Office Department, would be sent out
to each OF the 154. 900 postmasters of the
country and to every rural route carrier.
The postmasters and carriers under
arrangements made at the conference
will act as Government statesmen, in
forming interested consumers of the
prices and methods OF sale and taking
orders for the foodstuffs. Payment will be
made by buyers at the time the orders are
given the postmasters and carriers. who
will issue receipts which will be re-
deemable in cash In event OF inability
to I'LL the orders through exhaustion OF
tie supply.
In accordance with the House resolu-
ton the foodstuffs will be distributed
by parcel post. and the prices to be
quoted at each post Office will represent
the original cost OF the foodstuffs to
the Government and the parcel post
transportation charges from the nearest
War Department depot having the food
stufrs In storage. The prices quoted.
said, would be considerably be-
low the prevailing market prices,
While the amount Of foodstuffs In
each class has not been estimated, hear
ings before a House war investigation
committee recently showed the value OF
the surplus available July TO be APP
as follows:
Canned vegetables. $4,000. 900 /; corned
beef. S24,0O0,000; bacon, $4,000, 900;
hashed coned beef, $4,000; roast
beef, S20.5o0. 900, ana fresh frozen meats
and poultry, s20,O00.00O.