The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-19
Government Would Buy
and Then Sell Wheat at
Market Rates.
FUND TO COVER LOSS
Department of Agriculture
Prepares Bill for Early
Submission.
RETURN TO COMPETITION
Resolution Presented in House
to Investigate Fixing
of Prices.
RETURN TO COMPETITION
Special Despatch TO TIE suS.

Special Despatch TO TIE SuS
wAsHISGroN, Jan. 1S.-The Admins
tration's proposal for the first step in
the abandoning of war time price fix
ing and a return to a competitive basis
will be contained in a bill now being
drafted by the Department Of Agricul-
ture and which will be sent to the
House Agricultural Committee early
NEXT week
This measure will propose the ap-
cropriation OF $1,25o 900. 900 to be used
nv the Food Administration in pur-
shasng 1919 stocks OF wheat at the
Governments guaranteed price of s2.26
bushel, such stocks to be disposed OF
ment to bear the loss involved as part
Of its war time obligations.
The proposal will be supported by
the majority members Of the Agricul-
tural Committee and with some limita-
;ions as to the administration of the
fund by several Republican members
as well. But the Republican members
will not permit this or any other
amount Of money to be appropriated in
lump sum and under blanket author
!zation without knowing definitely
how, when and where the money Is to
be expended, by whom and for what
purpose.
Campaign Causes Comment.
The announcement in THE SWl this
morning Of a nationwide campaign to
terminate price fixing gave rise TO much
comment among national lawmakers to-
Gay. Members have been hearing from
their districts about the high cost of
living as affected by measures for arti-
fetal stimulation and are prepared TO
sve serious study to the subject.
representative Gould (N. " to-day
Introduced resolution as follows:
That the United States Food Admin
istratlon is hereby directed to inform
the House of Representatives Of the
economic reasons which warrant the
continuing OF agreements which fix
the price OF food products and explain
the reasons for continuing a practice
which evidently is directly responsible
slmer: together with detailed infor-
nation as to the number and scope
o. all such existing agreements.
Explaining the resolution. which was
r.'.rred 10 the Committee on Agricul-
',rs, Mr.. Gould said: II have been View
i7g with apprehension the continued ad-
vance in the cost OF the necessities OF
.fe during the last year, and have found
ere Is widespread need and suffering
among our people, who can hardly make
ho.h ends meet. There is strong doubt
e. my mind as to the soundness and
necessity for a continuation of the policy
=, r-!-c HxinE This seeks by legisa-
Ton and other artificial means amount
l7s frequently to coercion to regulate
p-,es in opposition to the law of supply
and demand, gravely affecting the flow
q commerce.
To Insist on Accounting.
y snall insist on an accounting from
80 Food Administration as to the oper-
s'0n and effect of the so-called gentle
mans agreement inaugurated by the
Food Administration by which prices
we're fixed on meat products. sugar and
other commodities and shall scrutinlze
CIV ftTPIuIlN 1utuFb ItttStdli'o piO-
posals along these lines. ! believe pro-
duos-s are entitled TO a fair profit and
- fair treatment from the Government.
0rt not to the excessive pront which
present fgyIres indicate they are enjoy
!-g az the expense of the consumer
The feeling is prevalent that the wheat
"'"e guarantee will widely affect the en-
re list ot cereals and other food COM
mo6''!es and 10 this question most OF
80 members are devoting their atten-
m. l. Is pointed out that the present
pE'res Of corn. rye and oats are rela-
''N'v az about the same level as wheat
snl that with a reduction in the price OF
wheat 70 the consumer and the coinci-
9"Ntal decline in the cost of -four the
cost ~ these commodities will decline in
proportion.
The figure of s1.25o. 100000 TO meet
-" expense OF making good the Govern
Te7's guarantees to wheat producers
o. he basis of s2.26 wheat Is estimated.
- u-derstood. on prospects for an eX-
'@ptoraIlY large crop and sharp de-
'.'7e N nc world market TO point at
''ast 81 4 hushel under the present Gov
eminent Hgures.
Chairman Levers Attitude.
Chairman Lever of the House Agri-
HI'ural Committee said he favored leg
fA'o1 ~ which, the Government would
p ta.tl with the farmers by buying
no pheat Al the Government guarantee
''e! and d.sposng Of II as advantage
Isiy as possible at the level fixed by
IE World demand.
Chairman Lever sald the information
eeSred by the Gould resolution would
10 b-ousht out in hearings on the bill
"o' being prepared by the Department
q Agriculture. Representative Ander-
ron Ninn.J, one OF the leading Republi-
S' members of the committee, declared
- would support the Gould resolution ~
cent IS before the committee did not
r'f-. The desired Information. In
''f;f 80 prepared by way ~ comment
:" 'n~ etuation outlined In the article