The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1919-08-15
HOUSE VOTES TO
Give UP RECESS
Representatives Will Forego Va
cations to Fight High Liv-
ing Costs.
PRESIDENT MADE THE PLEA.
Road Workers Rather See End to
Profiteering Than More Cash
congree viii Be Asked to
Solve Problem.

Washington.-Presi Wilson ask
ed the house to postpone its recess
because Of present conditions of the
high cost Of living, and the railroad
wage negotiations which are likewise
an outgrowth of the abnormal prices
paid by the people for the necessaries
of life. Fhe house voted to comply
with the request.
The President recommended the
creation of special board by Con-
gress to consider the matter of wage
Increases for railroad employees.
An increase of twelve cents an hour
for the workers, according to Walker
D. Hines, director-general of railroads,
will mean an additional expenditure
of $SOO,OO0,OoO a year.
If wage increase is granted by the
tribunal, it will be retroactive to
August 1.
The Presidents decision, made
known In a letter to the chairmen of
both the senate and house committees
on interstate commerce, means that
Congress, If it accedes to his wishes,
will have complete control Of the rail-
road situation. In a similar sense it
will bave to solve the high cost of liv-
ing problem, and it therefore pos
sesses, or will possess, the two knot
test problems of the administration.
So dove-tailed are the railroad wage
negotiations and the high cost OF liY-
ing that their consideration must nee
essarily be taken up at the same time.
The railroad workers, by their visit to
the White House precipitated the ac-
ton.
The Presidents letter to Speaker
Gillette, advising against q recess OF
the house-the senate is in session
continuously because of the treaty and
league covenant debate-was as fol-
lows:
"My Dear Mr.. Speaker:
"The director general of railroads
informs me that the situation with
reference to the railroads is growing
will be possible for the house to post
pone it's recess until some definite ac-
ton is taken on the recommendations
contained in my letter to Mr.. Esch.
"Officials of the government have
been in consultation with reference
to the problems growing out of the
high cost of living, upon which l eX-
pect recomm endatiOns to be made
within a fortnight. I sincerely trust
that the proposed recess Of Congress
may be postponed at least until such
time as we may know definitely the
problems which confront us growing
out of this intricate situation.
Cordially and sincel ely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
A similar letter was sent to Repre-
sentative Frank w. Mondell, Repub-
lican floor leader.
Announcement Of the creation of a
subcommittee by the cabinet officers
who met with the President to formu-
late a report embodying recommenda-
tions to be presented to him by Mon
day.
A visit to the President by Attorney
General Palmer, who is heading the
governments investigation Of high
prices generally and is considering
whether or not the department of JUS
tice should prosecute the big packers
Of Chicago.
A visit to the President by members
Of the Brotherhood Of Railway Con-
ductors, who told him why they are
seeking a 80, per cent increase in
wages and who also told him, as did
the representatives Of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, that
they would rather have a decrease in
the cost Of living.
Introduction of resolution by Sen
ator Kirby, Democrat, Of Arkansas,
asking the Senate Judiciary Commit
tee to report favorably measure linn
iting retail prices on food to 25 per
cent. below the present market prices.