The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-01
WILSON TAKES HAND

UIIOOU 1UulU ttFvUU
Continued from page y
mfr. Igoe announced that ~ the
committees fail to act on his resolu.
lions, he will attempt to call them up
in the house for direct action before
the recess, which begins Saturday.
Republican leaders still insist, Mr.tIgoe
said. that the measures follow the reg
ular committee channels. but he be-
lieves that the Republicans will not
dare delay action on such a vitality i'm
portant question on parlia mentary
~technicaities.
Sin a formal statement the Mis-
souri, member said the ~effectiye way to
stop prohteering is to tax the extor-
lions OF the profteer.
Presidents Power.
The range of power possessed by
the president was one of the Important
points discussed by the members of
the conference called today. It was
stated that II it were found that the
president has the power to proceed
effectively to remove the conditions
which make for the high cost of living
that he would be so advised by the
encouragement. 1t was also stated
today that II the president needs more
power than he now has, he will ask
congress to enact legislation at once
to give 1t 10 him.
1t was pointed put today that while
the United States food administration
through which aggressive steps could
he taken, Is no longer in existence.
Nevertheless 1t may be received. When
the cabinet officers and department
rfeHfs went into conference the an
nouncement was made that they would
make their report direct to the presi-
dent and that any statement of their
conclusions would be given out at the
white house.
Reason for Conference.
The conference remained in session
till 7:30tP. NJ. and at the conclusion of
the meeting Attorney-General Palmer
said:
The conference was held in order
to get first a survey OF the general sit
uation n to get In touch with the
problem from various angles and
points of view. AS the head of the law
enforcement part of the government
II wanted to get the observations of
those who are familiar with the con-
ditions so that the remedy can be
applied. There will be another meet
ing In a few days and as soon as prac-
ticable / will confer with the presi-
dent"
The encouragement declined to
comment on the various theories ad-
vanccd as to the best means OF meet
ing the situation,
One Of the conferees said that while
he did not know of any statute on
which he could put his finger there
were nevertheless some laws which
might be applied now as a remedy"
VIII Gather Facts.
The personnel of the conference in
dictates plainly how the department of
Justice Is to gather its facts. The
farmer, the laborer. the man In lines
of the department OF commerce.. the
railway mar as represented by the
director of railways. mi the trader as
represented by h federal trade com
mission n his ways OF doing business
were all represented.
The cabinet officers and the bureau
heads who have. these interests in
lcharge have been instructed to consid-
or the questio nor wages and living,
to anaiyze them and compare them
and to report back to the attorney
general. Out OF this survey" as the
attorney-general. puts II, there will be
evolved the definite plan of hating
the general practice Of extortion. II
will require much and hard work by
each OF the conferees to make his In
dividual report and on the last
analysis Of this the action OF the pres
ident will depend.
h fact that the attorney-general is
the head OF the commission shows that
the remedy is to be one with alterna-
tive legal penalties for maintaining
high prices and practicing extortton.
BAKER TAKES ACTION
Secretary OF War Baker also took
action today relative to the disposal
n Of the piagn CItonfitiaa ri fandaftffa
now held by the war department, to
bring down the high cost OF living.
This was IN the form of an order by
which all municipalities are empow-
cred 10 act as agents for the receipt
and sale of surplus foe in the war
department stores ~
Secretary Bakers action is the d.
rect result Of a visit here of Edwin j..
OsMalley, deputy commissioner Of
markets of New York City. James
Stafford. former administrator Of
Erie county, New York and Frank J..
4 Wilson, OF Buffalo.
: The arrangement entered into with
the municipalities is distinct from hat
OF sales through the parcels post. On
this point the war department and
the p~ostoffice department also on
ferred today, as sale by parcel post
OF some of the surplus food was
authorized and directed by a house
resolution adopted July 80.
The joint conference of the war
and p~ostoiice departments. today re-
suited in a decision to ~have Mr..
Morse and a postof1ce department
representative draw up regulations for
the sale and sending OF surplus foods.
Thus by the parcels post arrange
hment ~postrnasters all over the country
viii be utilized in the disposal OF the
war departments surplus food took.
Consignnnents are to be sent post
rnassers who may hll the smallest
orders