The sun., 1919-08-19
FAIR FOODCOST
FIXING PUT UP
TO PRESIDENT
He Is Asked Also to Enforce
Prices in Bill to Amend
Control Act.
NEW vIG0R IN CONGRESS
Rut While Problem Is Debated
Capital Profiteers Give
Another Boost.
NEW vIGoR IN CONGRESS
s,.c,a, pe.pascA 10 Tn, SUE.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-Congress and
,be Administrative branches Of the
I covernment in Washington centred
,tttr efforts upon the cost of living
fght with new vigor to-day. While
they were planning, discussing and
acting the price of meats and fresh
moduce in Washington, under their
very noses, went up a notch
An immediate programme OF Gov
ersment price fixing on all necessities
n life Was proposed by Representative
Heugen Qowa). who has prepared
amendments to the Federal food con-
troll act providing that fair prices shall
Re proclaimed by the President and
that all persons selling in excess OF
4 tho Government price he heavily pun
ished. Mr.. Haugen is chairman Of the
House Agriculture Committee. and he
urorhesied that the committee would
rtport 10 the House amendments with
;he price fixing provision.
While the committee had the amend
merits under consideration the House
was discussing a further invesdga-
ton by the Federal Trade Commission
into shoes and leather. A favorable
vote on the resolution for investiga-
ton is expected tomorrow.
Mayor Gillen OF Newark. y. J.,
charged before the House Agriculture
Committee that the Big Five" packers
controlled the New York fish market
sn6 all fishing on the Jersey coast
He was one of a delegation of fifteen
New Jersey Mayors who insisted on
immediate Congressional action on
proposed drastic legislation.
Sale Of army food through the par
eel post and the Governors of New
York. New Jersey and Connecticut was
begun to-day, but reports indicate that
sales were slow through lack OF avail
ability of supplies
Announcement was made that At
tcrney- General Palmer would confer
with the Philadelphia fair price COM
mittee tomorrow. The Attorney
General invited the conference of Gov
errors meeting in Salt Lake City to
send a committee TO Washington for
conference on fair price committee
and other cooperative work between
the State and Federal Governments.
Government 70 FIX All Prices.
Immediate Government price fixing q.
all commodities as the only effective
way of stopping profteering and reduc-
ing the cost of living is contained In
amendments TO the Federal food contro
act which Chairman Haugen intends Il
push through the House this week.
Mr.. Haugens amendments, which
were framed after conferences with De.
partment OF Justice officials, provide
for the proclamation of fair prices or
al necessities by the President and give
the Department OF Justice direct powers
10 prosecute any one charging IN excess
Of the figures Power is given to limit
profits storage charges. commissions and
practices.
The license system, built up by the
Food Administration during the war
viii not be revived. on advice Of At.
tDrney-General Palmer. Mr.. Haugen sa id
but instead the Department of Justice
can bring immediate criminal prosecu.
tons against the vioiitors
The whole intent and purpose Of the
amendments is to get direct acts-r
against the prohteers and provide fmme-
date lower living costs. which / do not
believe are possible under a reviving o,
The licensing. system" Mr.. Haugen said
The Acknowledgement is opposed to the
revIving OF the Food Administrator
license system, believing It viii not pro
ouoe immediate results"
Under agreement with the Depart
fnent Of Justice Mr.. HRugen plans q
exempt farmers and farm organization
selling the products they raise from the
price fixing. and like the original FOOD
control act affects only dealers who do ar
annual business of 500, 900 or more. bur
Mr.. Haugen is certain these exceptions
viii not impair the effectiveness of tn.
new legislation.
Aims mt Large Dealers.
IF we can compel the large dealer,
70 sell commodities at fair prices" Mr.
HauEen said, and the public is in.
formed Of these prices, the little fellow
cannot exact sxtortionate profits"
FINAL action on the plans will be taker
py the House committee tomorrow, the
chairman said. after Attorney-Genera,
rainier or Assistant Attorney Genera
Afnes Is called before the committee for
another conference.
The Haugen amendments extend The
1909 control act no further than the
tuorney-GenerAl proposed. inasmuch as
'hey put all commodities under Govern
heni control, instead Of adding wearing
apparel and food containers as Mr.
penalty Mr.. Palmer suggested OF a fine
o. not more than 5000 or Imprisonment
10Y not more than two years, or both
The amendments ! have drafted
SEEN 10 give the sentiment CT me COM
mt'ee Mr.. Haughen said. ''and ] be.
he's they win be favored by the House
as big factor in the solution OF the
nigh cost Of living problem"
republican leaders are understood &c
nave given their approval TO the pro-
posa,s
Text of the Amendments.
The amendments follow:
The President is authorized TO issns
regulations prescribing requirements for
systems Of reports and entry and in
sspe'ton by the Presidents duly author
H"d agents TO be observed by any per
toh 10 whom the provision OF this sec
uoh applies and who is engaged in the
Importation, manufacture, storage. min
rf OR distribution OF any necessity
whenever the President hnds that any
horh1e charge, commission. proft OF
practice OF any such person is unjust
" unreasonable. or discriminatory. OF
uAit.F. or waEeful, he shall order such
p'Fs3l- within reasonable time fixed
~ N9 order 10 discontinue such storage
.taFge commission, profit or practice
me President may IN lieu of any such
sL!ls, unreasonable. discriminatory and
lalf OF wasteful. storage charge
t.oAini ssion, profit or practice, md what
Just, reasonable. non-discriminAtory
II fair. or non-wasteful, storage
III SSAtrFe. Communication r1rodf NJ acfiCA