Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-05
CONSIDERING STEP TO CUT
COST OF LIVING; PALMER TO
SUBMIT PRICE WAR PLANS
President Giving Whole
Time to Problem-May
Go Before Congress.

I
ney-General Palmer expects TO
be ready TO present a preIimin-
airy report TO President Wilson
today concerning possible steps
to be taken by government
agencies in the effort to reduce
living costs.
julius H. Barnes, president Of the
United States grain corporation has
! been called to the White house for
/ late today and it is understood the
president will take up with him a
proposal to restore wheat 10 a free
market, with the government max
! ing good the difference between the
market price and the $2.26 guaran-
tee TO the farmers.
Whole Time to Problem.
Conferences with Republican and
Democratic senators on the League
of Nations have definitely been
abandoned by the president until
the problems of the high cost of liv-
ing are solved. Secretary Tumulty
announced The president, Mr..
Tumulty said. is expecting to give
his whole time to the question of
the high cost of living.
Administration officials feel that
one way to decrease the cost Of
living is to increase production and
President Wilson is understood TO
feel that strikes now or threats of
strikes, will interfere materially,
with any solution of the problem
sought by government agencies.
May Go Before Congress.
Whether the president will go be-
I fore congress TO recommend steps
designed to relieve the situation
will depend, Mr. Tumulty said. on
the report made by Mr.. Palmer.
Members of the cabinet went into
conference early today with Mr..
Palmer, to receive the report Of the
special committee appointed last
week to tabulate the various sUg-
gestions thus far advanced. The
conference was expected to con-
tinue until just before the regular
Tuesday cabinet meeting.
Mr.. Palmer's report was to be
submitted at the cabinet meeting
and the president then planned to
discuss a free market for wheat
with Mr. Barnes.
Study English Laws.
While the cabinet officials were
in conference the federal trade
commission began a study of Eng
lish laws against prohteering.
Some officials regarded it as proba-
BILE that congress would be asked
to enact legislation against dealing
directly with all classes of profit
eering The attorney general has
said that existing laws are made
quate.
Senator Gronna, Republican,
North Dakota, said inadequate pro-
duction was partially to blame for
present conditions, adding that If
everyone began working IA hours
a day, instead of eight, conditions
would improve.
Talks Of "LabOr PrOfiteering.'
Senator Smith, Democrat, Geor-
gia. declared labor was demanding
double wages for half time and that
one of the worst examples of wage
"profiteering" was to be found
around the cities and the railroads.
Congress, he added, must have
courage enough to tell labor so.
Legislation limiting profits was
advocated by Senator Johnson, but
Senator France, Republican, Mary
land, questioned the adyisability Of
such action.
Would Enforce Present Laws.
After a long discussion with
members of the cabinet this after
noon Mr.. Palmer said the suggos-
tions considered had to do largely
with the new legislation enforce
ment of present laws. The quas-
tion of a free market for wheat was
discussed but Mr.. Palmer said the
suggested revival of the food ad-
ministration to control food prices
was not seriously considered. Be
sides, the cabinet officers, those
attending the conference included
Judge Ames, assistant to the at
torney general in charge Of all
prosecutions under the sherman
and the food and fuel control law;
Mr.. Barnes and Governor Harding
of the federal reserve board.
Again Blocks Recess Plans.
In the house Representative lgOc,
Democrat of Missouri again block
ed plans of leaders for a recess by
insisting that the house consider
his measure directing the federal
trade commission to investigate the
rising prices of shoes. Leaders
said no business would be under
taken during the next two weeks.
REPORT AMERICAN