Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-23
HOUSE TO AMEND
LEVER FOOD BILL
Increases It's Scope to Take in
Clothing and Food Con-
tainers.
TO PENALIzE PROFITEERS
Strike Out Clauses Intended to
Catch Renters of
Rooms.
TO PENALIzE PR0FlTEERs
tBy Associated Press J

"ASilNGTON. August 22-Without
anne ndment and with practically no op-
position. the House late today voted
TO amend the Lever food control act to
extend its provisions TO include cloth
ihS, containers OF food. feed or fer
tl!izers. fuel oil and implements used
in Production Of necessities, and to
penalize pronteers by a $4,000 rne or
iwo years imprisonment
Proposals 10 make the act apply to
adopted by the House in committee OF
the "no!e, were stricken out in the
Efforts were made by both Republi-
cans and Democrats to have the amend
ment provisions cover necessities other
IMAM those included in the amendment
mittec. Inclusion Of Kerosene and gas
o!ine was proposed by keprese n tative
strong. Republican, Kansas. who sa
the prices Of these products had in
years. hut his amendment was rejected
oy close vote. while that OF Represen-
tative Newton. Republican, Minnesota,
TO Include raw cotton. was eliminated
on point of order by Representative
B!anton. Democrat. Texas.
Farmers Not Included.
Attempts to bring farmers and farm
organizations within the jurisdiction of
the amendment also wcrc blocked
Recomme ndations OF Attorney Gen
eral Palmer TO include retailers doing
business of less than slO0. 600 under
the profiteer!n- section SO that the De-
par,ment OF Justice might go after
the little ones" We're included in the
message as passed.
Five hours OF general debate pre-
ceded passage of the measure-thc first
legislative STEP III carrying out the
in his recent address TO Congress on
the high cost OF living. The Hutchin-
son cold-storaEe bill. modelled on the
New jersey act; recommended 10 Con.
grcss by the President as worthy OF
patterning after. viii be reported TO
the House next week
Administration Attacked.
attacks and defense of the adminis.ra-
tion, Republicans asserting tina, the
Democrats with mastery inactivity
had avoided any discussion or remedies
for the high cost o! living. and Demo
cratic members charging that "Repub-
tions"
Representative Rodenburg. Republi-
can. Illinois, opening discussion on the
measure. criticized President W Wt.son )
feeble efforts 10 establish some sort
of connection between the present cost
and said that the Presidents, mind
for the last; nine months had been
eSomPIetsly absorbed by the idea Of
Scares the President.
the illinois. member continued, "a
vi
sissippi Valley. an earthquake in Porto
Rico, a volcanic eruption in Central
America. or an epidemic of spinal men
insit!s in New York City. the presi-
dent by process Of reasoning that
satisfies himself at least. has con-
vnced himself that the sole contribut-
ing cause was the failure of the league
of nations.
Representative Hef1n, Democrat.
Ala bama, charged that Republican op-
position TO the league of nations had
become SO pronounced that the chap
lain of the House was not permitted
TO pray for acceptance OF the league
Of nations" He said the chaplain had
offered such prayer one morning.
and since then his lips have been
sealed by high member OF the Re
publican party"
Indication of the close interest with
which President Wilson is following
every move in the tight on high prices
was given today in a lengthy confer
ence which he held with Attorney
General Palmer and Director General
Hines. The conference was arranged
by Mr.. Palmer. who declined 10 discuss
what had been under consideration.