New-York tribune., 1919-08-15
Congress Is Preparing to
Pass Food Control Law
With Teeth in 1T Within
the Next Few Days
No Cut i'm Wheat
Price, Says Wilson
President Is Asked to Re.
port on 500, 100000
Fund to Aid Europe
Neto YORK Tribune
WdShinJkOn Rur,nn


foodstuffs and clothing who charge
more than prices fixed by local fair
price committees now being formed
throughout the country will be prose-
cuted as soon as Congress enacts legis-
lation to make profteering a penal Of
fence, Attorney General Palmer an
nounced before the Senate Agricultural
Committee to-day.
The Attorney General said he hoped
action could be secured within three
troll act he proposed. Action in the
Senate Agricultural Committee was
blocked by three Southern Senators
who wanted until tomorrow to study
the Attorney Generals suggestions.
Mr. Palmer conferred with Majority
Leader Mondell of the House and was
told the House would be prepared to
act on his recommendations on Mon
day. Assurance was given the Attor-
ney General that the food control act
would be amended to include wearing
apparel and to impose fines of from
$4,000 TO $4,000 on all convicted
profteers.
Mr.. Mondell and Champ Clark. the
minority leader, sent out new calls to-
night, urging ali members to be o,
hand next week.
The Days Chief Developments
Other developments to-day in the
governments fight against the high
cost of living were:
The President was asked, in
resolution introduced in the House, to
make report on the purchases made
with the $10o,ooo,oo0 appropriated
last February for the relief of Eu-
ropes starving populations.
The Senate Committee on Audit
and Control reported out resolution
ordering a full investigation by the
Senate of the reasons for the high
prices Of coal and of statements that
there will be a shortage of coal
next winter.
The Department of Justice re-
celved advices of the seizure by it's
agents of 1882 tubs of butter at
Chicago, 284,1S0 pounds of coffee in
ST. Louis and 100 barrels OF sugar
at Birmingham, Ala. In each in
stance the action was based on the
belief that the foods were being
held IN storage for profiteerinp pur-
poses.
President Wilson assured repre-
sentatlves from farm bureau associa-
tions from Middle Western states
that No reduction in the govern
ment's guaranteed price of wheat is
being considered.
United States attorneys were in
formed by telegraph that food ad-
ministratlon officials had taken the
position that any retail price for
sugar higher than II cents a pound
was excessive.
Attorney General Palmer expressed
admiration for the Federal attorney
who obtained the conviction of a
dealer in Binghamton, N. Y, in spite
of the fact that there is no Federal
law providing punishment for profit
eering. He indicated that the gov
ernment still had power to cancel
licenses of sugar dealers charging
eXorbitant prices.
Request for $1,500,000 More
The Attorney Generals request for
an additional appropriation of ST.
100000 to be used in part in the high
cost of living fight was prepared for
transmittal to the House.
Secretary of Agriculture Houston
asked $502,060 and Secretary of Com
merce Redfeld an additional $4,000
to be used in making Investigations
in connection with the cost of liy-
ing, bringing the total of appropria-
tions asked thus far by the executive
departments to $3,212,O6O.
The House Judiciary Committee
was called to meet next Tuesday to
,consider amendments to the anti
trust laws. Also a new peace-time
food control act to go into effect
as soon as the present law goes off
the statute books with the consum-
nation of peace.
representatives. of various refrip-
Grating interests told the House Apri-
cultural Committee that large stocks
of eggs and butter are in storage now
because of miscalculations on trade
prospects.
Chairman Good, of the House Ap-
preparations Committee introduced "
resolutions for Investigations to de-
Continued on page thirteen