New-York tribune., 1920-12-06
Europe Blamed
For Price Dr(pp
In L. S. v heat
Alinnesota Representative
Demands Federal Inquiry
Into Alleged Bear Raid
on the American Market
Britain Is Chief Culprit
Cut of 81 a BusIlel Forced
by Campaign to Crowd
the Cost of Bread Lower

~o-, - Tr54se's wGsh.~g,oe B,.~,s,
WASHINGTON. Dec. O. Onsratio,s
foreign governments r their agents
be American grain markets are re-
sg.as.5.e TO I large degree for the
serious depression in wheat and fanr
ariees Representative Halvor Steoner
son. Of Minnesota, declared tonight N
announcing that he Will INTRODUCES q
resolution IN the House to morrow
calling upon the Fedora, Trade Com
mission - make an Investigation and
prosecute # possible.
Information which prompted Mr.
s.senerson 10 demand Federal in
quiry WAS furnished by Julius y
sarnss. president Of the United Stats
Grain Corporation, and Edwin ". Flesh
Fice-7resident and treasurer The vjex
taken By the Minnesota Represen fati.,o
S that these foreign governments are
violating our antitrust laws.
Inc 1orelgn countries i is CHARGED
refuse 10 permit individual merchants
70 import wheat. llour and other food
products rom this country Thew do
virtually all Of the buying themselves
md, according 70 the government Of
tcials nave been bear on o,r mar
<ets for months past Operations on
small scale by foreign individuals
Tas characterized as "camouhags'' for
ne governments.
Barnes Holds Action Necessary
Nr. Steenerson. in his resolutio,
quotes Nr Barnes as telling the
American Farm Bureau Federation re-
Gently. after desc bing how England
ana other European countries are
using experiment. agencies to break
aoWn prices. that it would be neces
ary Tor trls government, 10 create q
feaeFai agency IN order to protect our
consumers Mr. Barnes expressed the
'ope' however that this would be un-
necessary because ne felt Great Rrit-
in and the others soon would oo~n,it
rade % get back into natural chan
.e-s mere was 10 doubt Mr.. Barnes
isciared tha- arbitrary action hv Ger
AN European governnl- nts had vir-
'HaiIy suspended the law Of supply and
iemand and probably had depressed
prices IN this country.
ne Grain Corporation promised to
2elp Nr- Steenerson ir every wav nos
'.oie with his investie cations.
After quoting Mr. Barnes and SIR.
-.es1, tae Steenerson resolution savs:
From which l. appears that the
gram markets OF the United States
a.e no longer open and free to the
natlra operation OF the laws Of su7.
ply and demand, but are mononolized
contro led and maninu ated at viii nv
ne influence OF foreign governments.
lat through It's control over the
meat eyport trade OF Canada. the
british government has been able to
Sc Il Dy dumping It on our markets.
IS an additional influence TO depress
ogices lore
That the practice Of the European
-oFsrHments who engage in purchasing
wheat is 20 resell the same at loss
order 20 furnish bread to their
cop At pre- war prices, thus making
,lem direct : Interested in lowering
ne price of wheat in all markets.
Price Cut s. a BusheI
Ihat the said European govern
1e1-s have been aided In thus mo1oDo
'-iae and controlling the wheat prices
Ire I~lfcd States hv numerous
agents. brokers, banks and corpora
i9as. - 2 direct violation OF the
-nii-,rls- avs Of the United States.
4nat u % date the sad operation has
---lced tie price Of wheat more than
Per o1snei. 50 that the price now is
ale1 less than cost Of production.
-nere ore, be j, resolved .ea
federal Trade Commission be, and sh9
s-'e j.. mercy Gucc--d u Investigate
ne operations and activities Of foreign
,'efa --rs, taer acting directly or
-'o. commissions agents. brokers
~ Otherwise, n the grain trade Of the
~fitr- .-4tes. especially the buyin~,
,e-,ng and expor ne Of wheat. 4al
,-e .n1-ence thereof upon prices in
'ae United States, anc whether such
ACTIVITIES constitute violetlon Of the
a1t!-tr1s- laws of the United sates o.
slcn governments, or any o. their
gen. 9roAeIs or presentAt.Nes.'