The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-08-03
Moved by Growing Unrest
Over High Costs Admin
lstration Will Distribute
All Surplus.
AUGUST EIGHTEENTH
WILL BE SALE DAY
Dissatisfied With President
Wilson's Proposal Rail
way Shopmen Begin TAX
ing Strike Vote.

Washington, August I'm the fact
of growing unrest over the high cost
OF living as indicated by the spread
ing strike OF railroad workers, many
government agencies moved today in
efforts to effect a return to normal
price levels the immediate sale of
all surplus foodstuffs purchased for
the army. instead of only canned goods
ordered by the war department. Mil
lions of pounds of meat. beans pump
kin. squash and other commodities viii
be offered the public August Is through
the parcel post system at prices ma
terially lower than those now prevail
ing in the market. Purchasers will
have to pay postage from the storage
point.
Director General Hines, Commission
cr Glover and Assistant Secretary Of
the Treasury Leffingwell. appointed by
the conference assembly. by Attorney
General Palmer. were engaged today in
an exchange of memorandums bearing
on the problem.
The impression went out that tho
committee had agreed that steps could
be taken by congress which would al
leviate the situation at once. but it was
said at Hines office that nothing final
had been decided upon. The com
xiittee was instructed particularly to-
deal with profiteering and to slIyge~t
how law enforcement agencies shoulo
proceed to bring to justice men guilty
OF extortions through unreasonable
prices.
Washington, August 2.--Dissatisfied
with President Wilson's proposal to
have congress create special body to
pass on their demands. or consider
them in connection with the high cost
of living problem. railway shopmen
began today to take an official strike
vote.
J: B. M. Jewell acting president OF
railway employees department of the
American Federation of Labor. said to-
night that Director Hines had been in
formed by the shopmen of their dis
satisfaction with the suggestion that
congress intervene and the decision to
send out call for strike vote was
returnable August "a. The first effect
of a call for a vote probably will be
the ending OF the present shopmen
strike. which Jewell said was unauthor-
ized.
Senator Cummins chairman of the
interstate commerce committee and
other members OF. that body by the
demands made by railroad employees
for increased wages TO meet the aigh |
cost of living viii hasten action by
congress on legislation and begin a |
national policy with respect to rail-
roads
Committees OF both house and sem
ate have been working on such legisla-
tion for some time. Presentation of
a tentative program this month is
expected.
Chairman Cummins and other mem
bers of the commerce committee met |
Informally today to discuss the rail-
road situation but no decision was
reached. 1t was said all OF the sena-
tors were impressed with the serious
ness of the situation.
Without n record vote. the senate
today accepted a resolution requesting /
the senate banking committee to re-
port whether legislation to- reduce the
amount OF currency in circulation was i
advisable as means of reducing the
cost OF living. The resolution which
was sponsored by Senator Myers,
democrat. Montana. had been under
debate for two days.