Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-27
DC. WOMEN BEGIN
HIGH PRICES FIGHT
Two Organizations Take
Initial Steps in Anti-Prof-
iteering Campaign.

A move to enable 5000 members of
the Federation of Women's Clubs of
the District to exert force in reduc-
ing the cost of sugar and potatoes by
RETAINING from making purchases of
these foods" during the next few
weeks was taken at a meeting of the
organization yesterday afternoon in the
Blue Triangle House OF the Y. w. c. A.
The federation adopted a resolution
recommending such action following
its presentation by Mrs. George l..
Peckham. Under the provisions of the
resolution. 1t is planned to have presi-
by taking similar steps. A canvass of
the membership Of the federation will
be taken to aid in carrying out the
campaign plans.
speaks From Experience.
II am speaking from my own per-
sonal experience" said Mrs. Peckham
today, in discussing her resolution.
IT have been told. upon investigation.
that there seems to be plenty of sugar
and potatoes, and that INSCRIPTIONS
persons are. in many cases, holding
these commodities back from the mar
ket in order to get higher prices. 1t
seems to be a money-grabbing game. 1
themselves in the purchase of sugar
and potatoes you would find the prices
would go down."
Another local woman's organization
took active steps in a campaign
against present high prices at a meet
Women's City Club yesterday by the
adoption of resolution calling for
vigorous prosecution of all food prof
iteerR a sweeping probe of prices of
foodstuffs- and congressional action
to alleviate suffering caused by in
AAA
Mrs. Edward p. Costigan. chairman
Of the committee on food, who has
made an exhaustive study of the food
and price situation, presented the
resolution.
Move to He Nation-wide.
Copies OF the resolution will be sent
to every woman's organization in
Washington. and clubs in other cities.
These clubs will be urged to impress
upon Congress the urgent need of i'm
mediate resolution. In addition, copies
will be sent to both houses of Con-
gress and to the Attorney General
At yesterdays meeting the entire
subject Of high prices and profiteer-
ing was discussed. Members of the
board of directors protested particu-
larry against the high price of pota-
toes and sugar. The committee on
food will concentrate it's efforts to
learn II the prices charged for these
articles are justified.
While the board of directors did not
believe boycotting is logical way in
which to solve the sugar problem. it
was stated that this subject will
probably come up at the next meeting
Of the entire membership of the club
May s. Several leading members of
the club. it is understood, are in ia
vor Cd instituting an organized boy
colt upon potatoes and sugar They
believe the present shortage would be
materially relieved if candy. soda wa
ter and unnecessary" sugar products
were eschewed for a time.
Urges Remedial LeEislation.
Mrs. Costigan said today that the
board of directors have every con-
and it's ability to bring down the high
cost of living" She declared the
opinion of members of the board is
that more can be gained by remedial
legislation" than by an organized
boycott.
Mrs. Howard l.. Hodgkins presided
at the meeting of the federation.
Mrs. Thomas G. Winter. second vice
president of the General Federation
Of Women's Clubs. gave an address
relative to the wide influence of the
organization throughout the country.
She also outlined briefly the work be-
ing done by the general federation in
It's cooperation in the movement of
SlSudt euucatlOn. Dy which the NOV
ing picture is used to aid in educa-
tion of children.
Advocates Federal CensOrship.
An address also was delivered by
DR.. William Sheafe Chase. chairman
OF the board of directors of the inter-
national reform bureau. who spoke on
the need of federal censorship of
motion pictures.
The federation Endorsed recon-
mendation to the Commissioners re-
questfng that police matrons be desig-
mated police employees rather than
civil employees. which would make
them eligible for the benefits of the
raise allowed to those in police en-
ploy.
Among the cha1rmen who gave re-
ports were: Mrs. George l. Peckham
Mrs. Mary w. Johnson. Mrs. NJ. NJ
OKeefe. Miss Elizabeth Reiss, Mrs
G =. Stoddard. Mrs. Randolph D.
Hopkins, Mrs. Court F. Wood. Mrs.
c. N. Chapman. Mrs. Sarah E. Deeds.
Mrs. Mary E. Heyler and Mrs Faber
Stevenson.