The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-14
c. S. Agents Launch Drive on
Chicago Food Hoarders.
Confiscated Goods Belonged to
Several Concerns.
AFTER SUGAR HOARDERS NEXT
Plan To Seize 10000 Bags Be.
fore Publicity Ban Goes. On.
Profiteers Reviving Old Prac.
tice Destroying Food StOck3

Chlcago, Aug. 14.-IWelve
hundred and eighty-two tubs Of
butter, valued at $55, 900, were
seized by federal authorities here
today at the warehouses of tho
Central Cold Storage company.
Officials previously had announced
no seizures would he made until a
complete survey of food conditions in
Chicago had been made.
Belonged TO Several Firms.
The butter belonged to several con-
Germs. Warrants for 900 tubs billed
to Pittsburgh were among those is
sued. One car got away before serv-
ices could be secured.
The tubs were left in storage with
government seals affixed. Authori-
ties said there will be no action toward
its disposal for the present.
Unofficially. it was indicated the
raid was the first of series which
later was to extend to alleged sugar
boards.
To Seize 10000 Bags Sugnr?
1t was previously announced that
the district attorney today would
order the seizure of 10000 bags
of sugar said to be stored in the
at Rockford, ILL.,, where 1t was alleged
the company had been selling its
stock at 14h cents a pound.
AS a test case against alleged food
hoarders and profiteers, action was
planned by federal authorities against
the company.
Take Week to Clean Up Hoards.
This action. announced by Henry II.
Rolapp, head of the sugar distribution
committee of the food administration,
followed receipt OF Instructions from
Attorney General Palmer authorizing
immediate action.
Officials of the sugar company were
arrested in Pittsburgh last week
Similar action will be taken in other
| cases. Rolapp said, prosecuting under
the libel clause of the food control
act which provides seizures and re-
sale of boarded food. A week will
be required, Rolapp said. to effect
complete clean up of all boarded food
in the city and vicinity.
May Make Big Egg Raid.
Chicago may repeat on a much
magnified scale the eggs raids of
Chattanooga. Prior to clamping on a
publicity lid today, the district attor-
neys office announced a survey of all
food stocks is being completed.
Chicago is the food capital OF the
A H. dliTOyt dSSlSldnI QlStTiCI
attorney, said today. THE vast stocks
of food stored here temporarily and
continually passing thru here make
an exact survey an extraordinarily diff
ficult task. Consumers everywhere
will have to wait patiently for drastic
action against profiteers here"
Destroy Food to Keep Prices Up.
Milroy said information reached the
office today that the old practice OF
destroying food stocks to keep up
prices had been revived. Severe pun
ishment was promised those convicted
of the act.
Acts OF the attorneys office will be
kept secret, Milroy said. because sus-
pected hoarders have been accused of
destroying records and important
documents
Washington, Aug. 14-Appropriations
totaling nearly 100000 with which to
help carry out the presidents sugges-
tions for reducing living costs were
asked of congress today by the agri-
culture department.
Secretary Houston wrote that the
| funds requested would be used in fur
nishing the people OF the country in
formation regarding the stocks of
food products held in storage and re-
tail food prices. This information
would be disseminated thru newspa-
pers and otherwise and would be pub
lished every day or two.
Organizations would be established
by the department in twenty large
cities together and make this informa-
tion available, these organizations sup.
plementing those now maintained.
The cities named were New York,
Chicago, Philadelphia, st. Louis Boss
ton, Cleveland, Baltimore, Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles, Buffalo, San Francisco,
Milwaukee, Cincinnati, New Orleans
Minneapolis Washington. Seattle,
Kansas City. Portland, oregon ana
Indianapolis.
In addition the department of CONF
merce today asked an appropriation
of $4,000 to enable it to place at the
disposal of American business infor-
nation its foreign trade experts collect.
Today's request puts the total the
departments have asked in the high
cost of living campaign to $3,637,00o.