Omaha daily bee., 1919-08-05
Cabinet Members and Other
Officials Called Into Confer
ence to Discuss Living Cost
Problem Today.
PRESIDENT TAKING DEEP
INTEREST IN SITUATION
Some Senators Fear There Is
No Ample Law to Punish
Profiteerinng; Urge Curb
ing Speculation.

Washington, Aug. 4.-Recommen
dations to President Wilson as to
how the government should proceed
in its efforts to lower the cost of
living are expected to result from
the second meeting tomorrow of
cabinet members and other Officials
called into conferences by Attorney
General Palmer
There still was no indication to-
night of how the conference would
view the problem. Director Gem
eral of Railroads Hines, Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury Longwell
and Chairman Colver or the Federal
Trad commission, appointed COM
mittee to present suggestions to the
! conference. have been engaged in
an exchange of memoranda, but it
was said authoritatively that they
had reached no decision as to what
steps had been taken.
President Interested.
That President Wilson was TAX
ing a deep interest in the situation
was indicated again late today when
without announcement he called at
the offices of the Federal Trade COM
mission aud held a lengthy confer
ence with Chairman Colver and
Commissioner Murdoch. Neither of
the two commission members would
discuss the subjects brought up at
the conference, but admitted that it
dealt with phases of the living cost
problem.
Attorney General Palmer has
summoned District Attorney Clyne
of Chicago to report on the progress
of Investigations, which have been
underway there. Mr.. Clyne's visit
was regarded as significant because
an early decision is expected by the
attorney general as to whether in
formation submitted by the Federal
Trade commission warrants prosecu-
tions against the "big FIVE" packing
companies.
Senate Talks High Prices.
High prices and the resulting un-
rest expressed in strike threats by
hundreds of thousands of railroad
men occupied much of the time of
the senate today. Senators from
wheat-growing states asserted that
the government guaranteed price OF
$2.26 a bushel was not responsible
for the high cost of bread, declaring
that wheat was selling at terminals
at higher figures.
Senator Gronna of North Dakota
said the crop would be nearer 650,-
100000 bushels than the forecast of
1,250000,000 bushels.
Several senator's declared there
was ample law to punish prohteer-
ing. Senator Borah of Idaho COM
mented that it would be no task to,
find the profiteer, but that he would
be "as safe the next four years as
the past four. He urged that spec
ulation be curbed. Senator Reed
deplored efforts to finance and feed
Europe.
Chairman Gronna, of the senate
agriculture committee announced
during the day that his committee
would meet tomorrow to consider
the excessive living cost problem.
Investigation in Colorado?
Denver, Colo, Aug. 4-Prices re-
ceived by producers as well as re-
tailers Of food will be investigated
in Colorado if recommendations to
be made tomorrow to Gov. Oliver
H. Shoup by Atty Gen. Victor E.
Keyes are carried out.
Economic conditions generally
and the greed of many producers
are responsible for steadily increas-
ing prices" the attorney general
said. He will ask Governor Shoup
to appoint a commission to investi-
gate prices.
Whether the city of Denver will
sell food at cost price will be deter
mined at meeting Of city managers
tomorrow.