The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-21
UP TO RAILROADS
Steel Agreement Means Big
Cost of Living Drop.
Industrial Board in Adjustment
With Food Dealers.
TEXTILES AND SHOES AFFECTED
Wheat Guarantee a Big Obsta-
Gle in Food Drop.
Peek Urges Flour Be Sold to
Public at Loss.

Washington, April 21.-President
Wilson is making every effort to eff
feet an agreement between the indus
trial board and the railroad admins
and stabiiizing prices.Sit was stated at
the White House today.
Besides the cabiegram that the
president sent to Secretary Redfield
and Chairman Peek of the industrial
board, urging them to try further to
reach an agreement with the railroad
administration, it was learned that the
president has sent instructions on the
matter to Director General Hines. The
mature of these instructions was not
revealed.
AS result. however. Hines has
designated Judge Robert S. Lovett to
represent him in further conferences
with the industrial board.
Resume Steel Conference
Washington, April Elm compIi-
ance with President Wilson's cabled
request. conferences between the in
dustrial board and the railroad admin
istration over coal and steel price re-
auctions will be resumed soon.
The railroad administration was 70
be represented at a conference today
by Judge Robert S. Lovett and Henry
Walters but Lovett was taken ill and
it was necessary to postpone the meet
ing.
tial drop in the near future, members
of the industrial board stated today.
providing agreements on steel prices
can be reached with the railroad ad-
ministration. 1t was learned at the
board that during the dispute between
Director Hines and Chairman Peek,
which dragged out over two weeks, in
formal agreements have been reached
with some of the largest dealers and
manufacturers in food. textiles and
1 CD f~aI ga. -
| ing. These are the results of a con-
| ference by various members of the
board in New York and Chicago.
Agree to Reduction of Program.
Representatives of these Industries
have assured the board of their will
ingness to cooperate in the price re-
| duction program. In some RESPECTS in
| formal agreements on the lower prices
| expected have been reached.
| Members stated that lower prices
could be put into effect within a week
| providing agreement on steel prices
can be made with the railroad admin
| istration.
Both textiles and shoes show large
increases over pre-war prices, textiles
as class averaging over $50 per cent,
| which accounts for the present high
prices of all clothing. Only slight re-
| auctions have been made since the
| signing of the armistice.
Wheat Guarantee Obstacle.
The big obstacle in bringing food
| prices down, the board has found. is
the guaranteed wheat price of $2.26.
With intimations that the United
States grain corporation will strive to
keep the market price up to the guar
anteed figure and thus 81 end very lit
tie of the s1.0O0.00O 900 guarantee
fund, Chairman Pes< has conferred
with Chairman julius Barnes of the
corporation and advised against such
a step, This would tend to keep up
all prices, Peek believes, and he is
urging that the wheat or the flour be
| sold back to the public at loss This.
ne claims, is the intent OF the law ap-
| propriatipg the fund.
the grain corporation is under
stood to have Informed the board that
the administrative difficulties of
either wheat or flour subsidy was
too great. The board has plans for.
lowering prices on many building ma
terials as soon as 1t is determined
will co-operafe