The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-05
Senate Committee to Consider
KeRyOn-Kendrick Bills.
Measures Provide System for
Limiting Packers Profits.
PLAN LAID BEFORE WILSON
Palmer Announces Cabinet For
mulated Definite Suggestions.
Quiz Barnes on Plan for Free
Wheat Market.


San Francisco Aug. 5.-The metal
trades department of the American
Federation of Labor will make de-
mands on congress and the president
this month that measures be taken to
reduce the high cost of living, James
OConnell. chairman of this depart
ment said. Membership of the metal
crafts exceeds 100000. O'Conncn said.
Washington. Aug. 5.-Increasing
pressure for a reduction in the cost of
living today brought definite action in
congress.
The senate agriculture committee
to begin consideration August 1S of the
Kenyon and Kendrick bills to regulate
the packers.
This was considered by many the
most important action yet taken by
congress with regard to bringing down
prices.
The Kenyon and Kendrick bills pro-
vide that the packers shall be placed
under license and under a system of
regulation which will prevent profits
over a certain limit.
Would Ratify Treaty First.
Senator Kenyon and other members
of the committee tried to get hearings
at once. Opposition from Chairman
Gronna resulted in delay until Au-
gust Is.
Senator Gronna favored waiting
senate before undertaking considera-
ton of the bills. but other committee
members declared the food crisis de-
mands immediate action. August IS
was reached as a compromise to en-
able Senator Kendrick, author of one
of the bills. to return to Washington. .
Prepare Plan for Wilson.
Certain definite suggestions for
reducing living costs have been pre-
pared for submission to President viii
son late today, Attorney General
Palmer announced this afternoon.
Palmers announcement came at
the conclusion of three hour and
half conference of eleven cabinet
members and government officials at
his office. These officials heard the
recommendations of Federal Trade
Commissioner Colver. Assistant Secre
tary of the Treasury Leffingwell and
Railroad Director Hines. who have
been investigating food prices
Certain definite suggestions were
made and have been prepared in writ
ing in form which 1 shall submit to
the president at a conference today"
said Palmer
Involve Legislation.
1.-The suggestions involve some legis-
lation. They include all those made
at the meeting last week when eco
nomic discussions began and some
other suggestions made today"
Suggestions made at the last meet
ing include it has been understood. re-
duction in the price of wheat, reduc-
tion of paper currency licensing deal
ers in necessities and rival of part of
the food administration machinery.
Looks Bad for Profiteers.
Palmer would give no inkling of
what the new suggestions are. 1t is
assumed that they have to do with
prosecution of food profiteers because
of the presence at the meeting of c.
w. Ames, special assistant to Palmer.
in charge of antitrust legislation and
administration of the food and fuel
act.
Ames is believed to have laid before
the meeting some suggestions as a
result of his study of the report of the
big five" packers made by the fed
eral trade commission.
The presence of Julius H. Barnes,
head of the United States Grain cor
poration, was taken to mean reduc-
ton in wheat prices was discussed.
Governor Harding, of the. federal
reserve board who was not at the first
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