Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-08-04
THIRTY STATES ARE
ORGANIZED. TO TEST
FO0D EXT0RII0NS'
SALE WILL PUT CHARGES UNDER
fiRE-ATTEMPT WILL BE
MADE TO BREAK HIGH COST OF
LIVING.

Washington, Aug. 4.-Pendng Pres
ident Wilson's appearance before con
gress with recommendation in actor
on the high cost Of living both senate
and house will be busy this Weei
with emergency legislation to NEE
the problem OF soaring prices ON food
stufYs
For the first time in months al
the attention Of the government Il
conferred on a question affecting sole
" the American people. The Presl
dent is engaged in a study OF what
may be done to end the suffering oc
casioned by rising prices for the ne
cessities Of life and the senate and
house are active.
For the present, at least, the night
agains high costs has taken prece
dence over the consideration of the
peace treaty and the league OF ma
lions covenant.
Wilson Waits Reports.
BY Tuesday the President will
have received preliminary reports
from cabinet members instructed to
investigate the situation, while the
attorney general is expected within
the next day or two to announce
what procedure the department OF
justice is 10 follow regarding the
recommendations of the federal trade
commission for the prosecution OF the
big packers.
Much debate on the high cost of
living and ways and means to check
it is expected in both senate and
house Some members believe Presi-
dent Wilson may address congress on
the subject after his cabinet commit
tee submits recommendation
Interest centers in the meeting
Tuesday Of the conference called by
Attorney General Palmer to consider
the best method of procedure, espe-
cially With respect to profiteering,
The committee appointed by the
conference, Director General Hines,
Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
Lettingwell and Chairman Colver of
the federal trade commission, have
been engaged in an exchange OF
memoranda which will be put before
the conference for recommendation to
President Wilson.
Look for Profiteers.
The presence OF julius Barnes, d.
rector Of the United States grain cor
poration, at the meeting Tuesday will
give expert counsel to the cabinet
members and other officials on the
grain situation. Consideration of a
plan to sell wheat in free market,
the government absorbing the differ
ence between the market price and
the guaranteed price, is believed Ger
tain.
There are indications that the at
torney general is paying especial at
tention to cases Of profiteering. He
has at his disposal great volume of
information collected by the federal
trade commission showing production
costs in scores of industries.
While there is no law by which
profiteering may be punished direct
~, Mr.. Palmer has said that there Is
a great deal Of good law" on the
statute books and it is believed he
Will find way to punish any cases
where there are evidence of extor-
tiCn
Government officials are eagerly
awaiting the results of the sale of
surplus food supplies Of the war de-
partment to the public, through mu-
inequalities to see whether their dis
position will in any way affect the
market.
Sale VIII Be Test.
The fo0dstuffs are listed, in many
instances, at less than one-half the
charge in the commercial market and
so large is the quantity held by the
department that it is deemed certain
the sale will lower market prices ma.
terially.
The ultimate test will come when
the war department, on August IS.
nausnrates in conjunction with the
postofiice department the parcel
post sale Of food products direct to
the home.
Too much stress cannot be placed
on the sale OF the war departments
1000 supplies. If their appearance in
the o2en market fails to dent the
present prices, officials will be con.
WINGED that palpable protiteering ex.
lists ana the department of Justice
will be called upon to act.
Not Meant for Household Pets.