The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-12-27
WILL FIGHT HIGH
PRICES TO FINISH
Palmer Asks the Assistance
Of Every Man and Woman
in This Country.

! Chicago. Ill-Attorney General A
Mitchell Palmer Tuesday mapped on
the program Of the department of jus
tice to bring down the cost of living
at a meeting of 400 city officials, heads
Of civic organizations and clubwomer
OF Illinois, called by Governor Frank
o. Lowden.
Pledging the full power of his Dc
partment in the prosecution OF hoard
ers and profiteers, Mr.. Palmer called
for the assistance OF every man and
woman in the country for q national
fight against high prices.
Explaining the plan OF action where
by fair price committees In every DOM
munity become agents Of the federal
government in enforcing its DEGREES
Mr.. Palmer laid down program OF
five things which II carried out. he
thought, would do much to deal a
death blow to the high cost Of living.
They are:
1. Organization Of fair price com
mittees in every city and county. back
ed by mayors and prosecuting attor-
neys, with committees supporting
United States district attorneys.
2. Organization of women to refuse
to buy anything but actual necessities
until prices come down.
3. Holding of conservation and
economy" meetings in every commun-
ity under the auspices Of civic bodies.
T. Influence of mayors and prose
cutors to be brought to bear on the
warning elements to prevent fac
tional disturbances in industry" and
particularly to bring about an indus
trial peace of at least six months du-
ration.
5. Rehabilitation of the -four min
ute men" 10 deliver work and save"
addresses in theatres each night.
Despite all objections and obstacles
purpose to go through with this cam
paign," Mr.. Palmer said IF indus
trial conditions do not get too bad dur
ing the next few months We can bring
relief"
The chief cause OF the high cost of
living, he said, were decreased produc-
ton incident to the war, inflated cur
rency, due to government borrowings,
and heavy taxes, which he charged
were passed on by business mon to the
ltimate consumer.
Activities OF the department Of jus
tice, he said, had already uncovered
219 cases against food hoarders, which
had resulted in the libelinE and dis
tribution in eighteen states of millions
Of dollars worth of food.
Ninety-eight cases had been brought
against profiteers, many of whom were
serving sentences.
Mr.. Palmer described the efforts to
nave congress continue the operations
If the Lever food act six months after |
declaring of peace, and also to pass q
aw requiring the price at which an
Irticle left the producer to be stamped !
m the article.
"If we can get that law we will stop
he said. when you 90
o the shoe store II you see plainly
tamped on a pair of shoes the whole
ale price Of $3.50 you simply aren't
,oing to pay SIS for that pair of shoes.
AN organization of women, organ
Fed az they never were before, will
10 more to bring down prices than any
ingle movement. Their power IL In.
alculable.
"One Of the greatest crimes of the
ay is idleness. II men and women
1ould do 10 per cent more work
rices would come down 20 per cent.
nd II they would economic and save
0 per cent this problem of high cost
living would be solved"