The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-09
CONGRESS LIKELY
. TO FOLLOW FINE
LAID BY WILSON
Sharp Warning to Labor
Agitators Attracts
Attention.
WONT TOLERATE FORCE
Many Specific Recommen-
dations in Presidents
Address.

WASHINGTON. Aug. s.-congress
got down today to analysing and di-
gesting President Wilson's recon-
nendation for the increased cost OF
living.
Members of the Senate and House
Interstate and Agricultural commit
tees which would nave IN hand tram
ing of legislation to extend the food
control act and 10 regulate storage
of toodstufts paid particular atten-
tlon to the Presidents address deliy-
cred late yesterday before joint
session.
Although neither branch of congress
was in session today leaders prepared
for action at an early date on the liv-
ing problem. Although some mem
bers disagreed with the specific re-
concentrations of the President IL
was believed that the prospective leg
islation generally would follow the
proposals he made.
President Wilson. in his message
called upon that -bodyst assume full
control over the processes Of food dis
tribution in this country as the only
effective means of giving relief to
the American people from the high
cost Of living.
At the same time he struck straight
at violence in the form of Bolsheyism
or any other form, when he solemnH
declared that there must be no
threats" that brute force will not be
tolerated and that those who resort
to arbitrary and coercfye action only
prepare their own distinctions
Present laws, he said, would be en-
ergetically employed to the limit to
force out food boards, and meet the
situation so far as possible, but to
supplement the existing statutes he
specifically urged the following
Licensing of all corporations engag-
ed in interstate commerce, with spe-
cific regulations designed 70 secure
competitive selling and prevent "un-
considerable profits" in the method OF
marketing.
Extension Of the food control act q
peace times and the application OF It's
provisions against boarding 10 fuel.
clothing and other necessities or life
as well as food.
A penalty in the food control act for
profiteering.
A law regulating cold storage, limit
ing the time during which goods may
be held; prescribing a method OF dis
posing OF them IL held beyond the per-
mitted period and requiring that when
released goods bear the date OF stor-
age.
Laws requiring that goods released
from storage for interstate Commerce
bear the selling prices at which they
went into storage and requiring that
all goods destined for Interstate com
merce bear the price at which they
left the hands of the producer.
Enactment OF the pending bill for
the control of security issues.
Additional appropriations for rof-
eminent agencies which can supply the
public with full information as to
prices at which retailers buy.
Early ratification OF the peace treaty
SO that the free processes OF supply
and demand" can operate.
Immediate steps by the executive
agencies OF the government promised
by the president included.
The limiting and control OF wheat
shipments and credits to facilitate the
purchase OF wheat in such way as
not to raise, but rather to lower the
price OF flour at home.
Sale of surplus stocks from storage
and sale OF surplus stocks IN private
hands. -
The forced withdrawal from storage
and sale Of surplus stocks in private
hands.
General recommendations included:
Increase of production.
Careful buying OF housewives.
Fair dealing with the people on the
part of the producers, middlemen and
merchants.
That there berno. threats and undue
insistence upon the interest OF 4 sin
gle class.
Correction of many things In tha
relation between capital and labor In
respect to wages and conditions OF la
bor.
In concluding the president made
plea for deliberate. intelligent action,
reminding congress that an unbalanc-
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