Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-09

President Wilson's address to Con-
gress upon the high cost of living
problems now confronting the coun-
try and the world was we'll received
on the whole by members of the Sem
ate and House. There was a DISPOSE
ton on the part Of some of the re-
publicans. however. to criticise some
of his proposals, particularly that for
licensing of interstate business by the
| federal government. They also
| charged that the President was seek
| ing to use the high cost of living as
| a club to force speedy ratification Of
| the treaty with Germany by the Sen
ate.
Jurisdiction Over District.
The Presidents suggestion that as
Congress has complete jurisdiction
over the District of Columbia it might
well enact stringent laws applicable
to the District to prevent profiteering
was received with much interest, par
ticularly by members of the District
subcommittee which is already inves-
tigating alleged profiteering in the
District and which hopes to be able
to recommend to the Senate legisla-
ton to meet the situation.
Senator Ball. chairman Of the sub
committee; Senator Capper Of Kan
sas and Senator. Sheppard of Texas,
all members of the committee, ex-
pressed the view that legislation for
this purpose, If constitutional, will
certainly be attempted here. Such
legislation may be used as model
for state legislation.
The Presidents references to or
ganfzed labor, and the part it should
play in the present unsettled condi-'
tions, were received with approval
by the members of the Senate and
House.
Chairman Cummins of the Senate
interstate commerce committee and
Chairman Gronna Of the Senate agri-
cultural committee. both of which
will have to deal with the Presidents
suggestions, thought the effect would
doubted that the committee would
give the President more power than
the food control act now bestows.
Republican Leader Mondell in the
House, however, characterized the
Presidents address as a confession"
that the administration had failed to
realize the seriousness Of the situa-
ton and use its powers to cure it.
Speaker Gillett declared he found lit
tie thoughtful suggestion in the ad-
dress.
Treaty Ratification.
Chairman Lodge Of the Senate for
efgn relations committee issued a
statement In particular reference to
the PRESIDENTS illusions to ratifica-
ton OF the peace treaty. Senator
Lodge declared that no undue delay
was intended in the Senate and that
the body had been acting as speedily
as 1t could. He called attention to
the fact that the President took
and that the Senate. sharing an equal
responsibility In 1t, had been in pos
session OF the document only a month.
No other nation except Great Britain
had ratified it, Senator Lodge said,
and he pointed out that it was not
yet before the senate Of France. =
The country, az a matter of fact, he
said, was at peace with Germany and
trading with her. The foreign rela-
tions committee, he reiterated, had
been unable to get information nee
essary to it's consideration. Senator
Lodge thought the President had
made some good and practical sug-
gestions In regard to prices.
Comment by Senators.
Comment by senator's follows:
Senator Gronna Of North Dakota,
republican, chairman of Senate agri-
culture committee:
$50 far as I am concerned the
President has got all the power he
will ever get from the committee on
agriculture. I do not agree with him
that additional legislation is neces-
sary to reach the profteers. They
can be prosecuted under the Sherman
antitrust law as being guilty Of re-
strafnt in trade. At q meeting this
En- ha
agreement that we should repeal food
Pcontrol legislation rather than extend
1t. but II the President is going to
commander grain at his own price
Just as though we were in war 1t
probably will be better to leave the
gument that the peace treaty should
be ratified regard as club to force
favorable action by the Senate"
Senator Capper of Kansas, repub-
lican:
II agree with the President that
many commodities should be subject
ed to federal licensing system, but I
think we should start first with the
packers. The suggestion that the
price paid by the retailer should be
stamped on commodities offered for
sale is good one, q plan have adj
vocated in my paper for some time.
1t would prevent retailers selling
pair for to consumer at SIS. The
capital issues provision of the Presi-
DENTS message is particularly good,
There Is no doubt that in recent
months millions of dollars in liberty
bonds have been traded for worth
less oil and mining stocks, and In
the end the public really pays for
this loss"
Senator Reed Of Missouri, democrat:
Il have been asked what I have to
say about that part Of the Presidents
message which proposes an Interstate
licensing system for business. am
In favor Of the enforcement, and. IL
necessary. the Strengthening Of laws
to prevent combinations and forestalI
artificial control Of prices. But I am
opposed to putting the business of the
country in leading strings to be manip-
ulated by lot Of Jacks in Washing
ton. I"
ono Glass Dictation."
Senator Pomerene of Ohio. demo-
crat:
THE most significant part Of the
message Is the warning to that class