The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-17
all Warns Against Mexican Menace
Palmer Warns
All Protiteers'
.S
Full Power Of Department o.
Justice Pledged for
Prosecution. Y

washington, Dec. lf.-Atty.-CoiAs
A. Mitchell Palmer Monday pledged
the full power of the. department Of
justice in the prosecution of hoard-t
ers and profiteers in a talk in which
he outlined tc 400 city officials. heads
of service organizations and clup-
women of Illinois the program or me-
department in combating the nigh
cost of living.
A plea for the assistance of every
man and woman in the country in
national fight against high prices was
made by Mr.. Palmer at the meeting,
which was called by Gov. Lowden.
Explaining the plan of action.
whereby fair price committees III
every community become agents 81
the federal government in enforcing
its DEGREES, Mr.. Palmer laid down =
program of five conservations whicns
IL carried out, would do much to deal
a death blow to the H. c. of l.. They
are: .
First-Organizat of fair price
committees in every city and county,
backed by mayors and prosecuting
attorneys, with the committees sup
porting United States district 'attor-
neys.
Second-Organizat of women to
refuse to buy anything but actual me-
cessities until prices come down.
pThird-Holding of conservation and
economic meetings in every COM
munity under the auspices OF civic
societies.
Fourth-Infuence of mayors and
prosecutors to be brought to bear on
al 20 fan~
tionai disturbances In industry and
trial peace of At least six months
| duration.
| Fifth-Remobiliza of the FOUR
minute men to deliver work and
| save" addresses in theaters each
night.
"Despite special objections and OBJ
structions, l propose to go through
with this campaign" Mr.. Palmer de-
clared. "If industrial conditions do
not get too bad during the next few
months we can bring real relief"
The chief causes of the high cost
of living, he pointed out, were de-
creased production, incident to the
war, inflated currency due to govern
ment borrowings and heavy taxes
which, he charged, were passed or
by business men to the ultimate con-
sumer.
"In every line of trade there are
selfish and greedy men who have
taken advantage of after-war condi-
tions to add to their prices and prof
it's. Mr.. Palmer said. "Such mer
are the profiteers, and / PROPOSE K
devote all the power at my eulnTn&4z
! to root tlaenf out and expose them II
public scorn and If necessary In pub
lie prisons. The profiteer is worse
than unpatriotic, he is a criminal.
ask the states attorneys of Illinois
to go after those devils with all thu
force you command"
Activities of the department of jus,
tice. he said, had uncovered 219 case!
against food hoarders which has il
the libeling and distribution in va
rious states of millions Of dollars
worth of food.
Ninety-eight cases had beer
brought against profiteers, many o
whom were indicted and some o
whom were serving sentences, III
added.
Mr.. Palmer described the efforts t,
get congress to continue the opera
ton of the Lever food control act 70
|
peace and to pass a law requiring tn
price at which an article left tn
producer to be stamped on the ar
ticle.
IF we can get that law we Wi
stop profiteering," he said.
IAN organization of women organ
lied as they never were before, wi
do more to bring down prices tha
any single movement. When wome
make up their minds they will nc
buy at present prices, then price
will come down.
Women should set their face
against these expensive and ever
changing styles. Merchants are shout
ing Buy now My advise is, do nj
buy now. Wait for lower price
When demand is lessened, the suppl
is increased and prices must inevits
| bly fall"