The sun., 1919-08-15
ASKS PALMER'S AID
TO CUT MILK PRICE
Gov. Smith Urges Federal In
terventiOn and Swami
Welcomes Help.
GRAND JURY WILL ACT
Subpnnas Served on Fifteen
Officers of New York Dis
tributing Companies.

Announcement was made last night by
Edward Swami, District Attorney. that
vigorous investigation will have its
formal opening to-day in his office to as-
certain whether there is conspiracy
among large milk distributors to juggle
this city. More than fifteen officers will
appear before the District Attorney at
! 1 o'clock in answer to subppnas whicE
already have been served on them. The
visitors, according to Mr.. Swami. will he
men who are capable of rendering him
invaluable assistance In his investigation
of the alleged tactics of the so-called
milk trust"
THE pressing of button Is not going
to result in indictments against large
corporations hedged about by learned
lawyers and presidents In law said
the District Attorney. MY investigation
will be comprehensive and exhaustiVely
prepared. We have been looking over
the proceedings and studying questions
of law involved in past criminal prose-
cutions for prohteering in foodstuffs
In reviewing the case of the poultry trust
men, who finally were convicted, sen
fenced and Hned after their arguments
were carried to the Court OF Appeals
we have come upon a great many things
which will be OF considerable aid to us
in any prosecution which we may take
up.
What Is required of our courts con-
tinued Mr., Swami, is more Justice anu
fewer precedents"
The whole staff of the District At
torney's Office will be in consultation
with their chief during his preparation
Of cases involving milk and foodstuiis.
Most of the men for whom the SUD
poenas were issued are said TO DC mem
hers Of or otherwise connected with the
New York Milk Conference Board. IN
discussing the shipment of cattle from
this state to France thereby threaten
ing the city with a shortage OF mis-
, Mr.. Swami said that he knew the farm
ers had taken into consideration TINS
danger and had provided against ~
The only method he knew whereby ms
office could take action would be throusn
an appeal to the Federal Government
to prohibit the Issuance OF licenses loI
the export of cattle from this state on
the ground that It was menace TO the
health of the city.
Gov. Smith also took proc at tne
milk distributors in telegram Wnlc'
he sent to A. Mitchell Palmer Attorney
General, in which he said
"Inasmuch as milk Is coming INTO ne"
York city from New Jersey, PenhsyVa-
MIA. Vermont New Hampshire ana Con-
necticut. the commission which l nave
appointed to Investigate the high cos'
of living needs help from your oepar'-
ment through the interstate commerce
laws. New York city is the largest con
sumner of milk in the United states anu
the price quoted here is felt oy con
sumers through out the whole country.
For these reasons ] respectfully
quest that your department cooperate
with us in an effort to bring apou.
reduction IN the price of milk IN New
York and to punish any persons or cor
porations guilty of offence UNDER the
laws of the United States or the sta,e
of New York. And to that end urgehtiy
ask that you detail at once one OF you.
stan to assist In an inquiry into all OF
the facts of the case"
Upon being shown the telegram MI
Swami said he would be very glao 70
cooperate with a Federal prosecutor II
Mr.. Palmer should assign one 10 ms OF
Ace in connection with the milk inves-
tigation.