The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1919-12-23
ISSUES COMPARISONS
Usual Upward Trend Of Last
Three Months Of Year
\ Absent, He Says.
COSTS NOW UNDER CONTROL
Public Support Needed to Aid
in Fight, He Says; Is Re-
ply to Rail Demand.

q WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Expcc-
tntion OF a decline In retail food
prices beginning between January I
and March !. was expressed tonight
by Attorney General Palmer In a
statement summing up the efforts OF
the government TO date in forcing
down the cost of living.
THE cost OF living already under
control" said the attorney general.
can be reduced If everyone who
produces will produce his utmost, IL
those who buy and consume will save
and eliminate extravaganza and II
all honest people will join with the
department OF justice In stamping
out profitcerlng and boarding"
Explaining that a downward trend
In retail food prices ordinarily was
shown during the first TWO months
OF year, Mr.. Palmer said II was
the hope OF the government. that
this trend will be accelerated This
year by the campaign initiated by the
government which is Just now get
ting well under way"
Prices Stationary.
Although statistics compiled an
nually by the government show that
In previous years retail food prices
increased during the fan months, Mr.
Palmer said mat since August this
year such prices had been main
tanned practically stationary.
Only since october 22. when ne
ccssary amendments TO the Lever
food control act were passed The at
torncy generals statement said, has
Il been possible to deal effectively
with all cases OF profiteering and
boarding From october % 10 date
l79 prosecutions have been institut-
ed, and proseputiops and seizures
have covered Is stafes, II was added,
Due TO operation between the
government and various retail mer-
chants associations. the statement
snid, prevailing profits OF clothing
had been reduced from to so per
cent
Answer 20 Rail Men.
The statement, which WAS issued
with the authorization Of the govern
mont officials associated with the
attorney general in the campaign to
force down living costs including
Director General Of Railroads Hines
a summary OF the goNsrnment's pO-
sltion In the face of the recently re-
newed demands OF railroad workers
Tor an Increase IN pay. The rail
road shopmen publcly--aS other
railroads crafts tacitly agreed In
August with the suggestion of Prcsi-
dent WILSON to postpone their de
mands FOR increased pay for 90 days.
to await efforts ~ rhc government
to bring down prices.
"In August" the attorney Rener-
al statement said, I'm connection
with demands for Increased wages by
railroad shopmen. based on tho In
creased cost OF living, tho president
announced 10 the public the view
that the cost OF living would be
lowered ~ soon as there were set
tied conditions OF production and OF
commerce. as soon az the treaty OF
peace was ratified. and As soon AN
merchants, manufacturers. farmers
and miners had certain basis of
In n statement 10 tho
shopmen themselves. the president
declared that the primary step was
TO increase production and facilitate
so as IN make up for
the destruction wrought hv the war
and the terrible sacrifices II Gre
ated The president added that the
had taken up, with all
CONTINUED on PAGE THIRTEEN