Evening journal., 1919-08-06
government AFTER
THE PROFITEERS
Palmer Orders Rigid En-.
forcement OF Lever
Food Control Act
JUSTICE AGENTS
TO SEEK ViOLATORS

WASHINGTON, Aug 6--Determined
to reduce the increasing cost OF living
Department Of Justice agents in all
parts Of the country have been instruct
ed to report all violations Of the Lever
Food Control act and to ferret out all
hoarders and pronteers in foodstuffs.
This announcement by Attorney
General Palmer late yesterday after a
two-hour conference with President
Wilson was the first indication OF the
plan to be pursued by the government
in meeting the nationwide request for
relief from high prices.
Not only will all existing law be used,
the attorney-general said. but serious
consideration is being given TO possible
additional laws considsred necessary TO
meet the situation.
Enforcement OF the food control act,
hitherto lodged with the legal depart
ment OF the food administration will
be taken over by the Department OF
Justice, Mr.. Palmer said Prosecutions
Will be ordered in all cases OF boarding
proltecring and other unfair practices
punishable under the act
In reply to questions as TO whether
the President had authority 30 restore
wheat 90 a free market The attorney
general said:
81 think the Grain Corporation has
some such authority but ! think you
arc going too far in speculsting along
that line"
Director Barnes OF the United STATES
Grain Corporation said after a confer
encs with President Wilson late today,
that he had made no recommendations
to the President as 10 the handling Of
this years wheat crop.
Mr.. Barnes said he would issue
statement later explaining the attitude
OF the Grain Corporation. The state
ment. he said, would clear up an ap-
parent mlsconceptlon on the part OF
the public that a free market in wheat !
would result IN a price lower than the
government guarantees.
President Wilson Will address a mes
sage TO Congress relative fe the cost OF |
living situation as soon as. he has /
time 10 write H." The message, II was |
said tonight at the White House. will |
ernbody recommendations submitted to /
the President by Attorney-General Pal |
mer and other officials.
Conference with Republican and Dem |
ocrat senator's on the league Of nations /
have definitely been abandoned by the |
President until the problems Of the |
high cost OF living are solved Secre- |
tsry Tumuliy announced. The Presi- |
dent Mr. Tumulty said. "is going to |
give his whole time TO the question Of |
the high cost Of living"
Congress devoted further attention 10 |
The general subject OF high cost OF liy- |
ing with the Senate agricultural com |
miitee voting 10 begin hearings August |
IS on bills by senator Kenyon OF Iowa.
and kendrick Of Wyoming. proposing |
federal regulation Of the meat packing
industry.
senator Johnson. Democrat. South
Dakota told the committee drastic ac-
ton must be taken 10 meet the present
situation.
III we don't we VIII have a revolu-
ton" said he IT is in the air"
senator Gronna. Republican. North
Dakota, said inadequate production was
partially TO blame for present condi-
tlons. adding that II everyone began
working "a hours a day instead Of eight
conditions would improve.
Senator Smith, Democrat, Georgia.
declared labor was demanding double
wages for working one half OF the time.
and that one Of the worst examples Of
wage "proilteerng' was 10 be found
around the cities and the railroads.
Congress, he added, must have COURAGE
enough TO tell labor So"
Enactment OF legislation limited prof
It's was advocated by senator johnson.
but senator France, Republican. Mary
and. questioned the advisability OF such
sction declaring the present situation
had been brought about by drastic and
ll-considered action by the government
md that remedial and not drastic legls-
alton was needed
A resolution directing the President
10 employ means directly within his
'ower' to relieve the people from the
ligh cost Of living, and containing 2
Ienersl indictment Of the Democratic
was introduced yester-