Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-08
EXTENSION OF WAR
ACT IS NECESSARY
Palmer Says Lever Law Must
Be Continued for Public's
Protection.
SAYS CONGRESS HAS RIGHT
Attorney-General Points to Coal
and Sugar Conditions as
Justifying View.
LIE Associated P-enS l

WASHINGTON. Nov. u Extension
Of the, Never food and fuel control law
for six months after the proclama tion
Of peat is necessary to protect the
country rom high prices. Attorney
General Palmer today told the House
Agriculture Committee.
Unnatural economic conditions" the
Attorney-General said. would be taken
advantage OF by unscrupulous people"
10 make prices high unless the powers
granted under the act are continued
IN force. These conditions. he said.
prevailed throughout the world.
Under the law as it stands today"
the Attorney-General explained to the
House Agriculture Committee, which
is considering the legislation, "ali Of
The remedies provided for in the act
could not be enforced in time of peace,
and all OF the things which de-
clarcd unlawful would no longer De
unlawful.
Conditions Make II Necessary.
My reason for asking for the extern
sion OF the law is very simple. The
conditions In the country following
peace make il even more necessary that
the government restrictions should be
continued than the con tions which
prevailed during the war itself"
one of the principal factors in the
situation which demands that the gov
ernment continue TO exercise control
over the production. sale and distribu-
ZION OF neceesaries. Mir. Palmer de-
coal Industry. Authority is necessary
ne said. 10 prevent the operators from
prohteering, as well as to maintain
production and distribution.
Under this law the President has the
power to take over the mines, if he
should see fit, the Attorney General
stated.
Night Apply to Sugar Situation.
Asked IL it was planned 10 again put
into effect the licensing system pro-
vided for In c,e food sections of the
act Mr. Palmer said there is no pres
ent intention 10 take such action. but
can imagine conditions which might
make II necessary. like the sugar sit.
| uation." He continued:
The main purpose of the extension
is 10 deal with profteering and hoard.
ing. and continue the fuel administra-
tion for the regulation of the coal in
duetry.
Since the armistice prices have very
largely increased. 1t has seemed TO me
that unless there is continuance o;
the control over certain kinds of pro-
auctions, conditions will be worse than
they were during the war itself OF
course do not contend that the use OF
this law Will of itself protect the peo-
pie against high prices. or will result
In any sweeping reductions in prices"
When normal conditions are restored
and prices stabilized. MIR. Palmer pre-
dicted, the level will be much higher
than the pre-war level.
Much High Cost Permanent.
In large measure. he continued
we know that the high cost of living
Is due to economic conditions whirii
are worldwide in scope, and which
are based upon conditions that must
be changed before results are different
The tremendous Withdrawal of men
from production and the placing OF
millions OF the best men in the world
in the war rather than in the construc.
tive pursuits form large factor In the
increase of prices.
Another cause for increased prices
Is the pyramiding of credits II will
take nothing but readlustment fol-
lowing peace to work out these con-
ditiona-
Advantage continually is being
taken OF these conditions by unscrup-
ulous persons. and right there is the
necessity for This law. The necessity
Tor II continues as long AS these con.
ditions continue. IL 1t wa. wise to
have this law duEing the war in the
public Interest it Is moro necessa ry
ncv. That Is the whole argument for
1t, as far as | am Concerned have
no question that Congress has tho
power to extend The law"