Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-04-30
PALMER DECLARES
 f,nNGnESS BLOCKED
 LOWER SUGAR MOVE
Says Wilson Would Have Bought" Cuban Crop at
 Low Price
DEFENDS HIS ACTION IN
 LOUISIANA MATTER
Attorney General Says Millions Were Saved to the American Public
 by His Action in Fixing Prices

Washington, April Defending i his own action in accepting IT and IS cents as fair prices for Louisiana sugar, Attorney General Palmer tes- tified today before a house invest- gating committee that President Will son would have bought the entire Gu ban crop last year at a low figure if congress had not ignored his request for necessary legislation.
 Asserting that it was not proper flor congress to attempt to place re- sponsibilty on the President, and de- Inying that he was attempting to shield him from attack by political oppon- ents, MT. Palmer said "passing the buck" was a familiar past-time in Washington and one not often misun- derstood by the public.
 MT. Palmer said in approving the Louisiana price he "eXercised law fully his discretion" and had mo apology" contending that millions were saved the American public,
 "The exercise of such lawful des- erection was vested in the department by congress in amending the Lever food control law to punish profiteer- ling, MT. Palmer asserted. explaining that before congress acted he had in formed it of his plan for announcing if charged, would not result in Icharges and prosecutions for profi- teering.
 1 Several weeks before congress en- acted this legislation, the attorney general declared, the president had asked for extension of the Lever act for definite period so as not to
 make it's life hinpe on the proclama- tion of peace. Though not specifi- lcally mentioning the Cuban crop pur- chase as contingent on this legisla- ton, MT. Palmer said that it was
 among the things the president had
 in mind. The legislation. he added, 'lwas- needed so that the government l might control the distribution of su- gar.
 Blames Congress.
 eff am guilty in Louisiana, then am in guilty elsewhere in respect to all fneceasaries," declared MT. Pal
 mer. "and there is plenty of room to find me guilty from the records of
 the department"
 T would have hated myself" con-
 tinued MT Palmer, eff I had de- termined 17 cents was fair price
 and had kept it locked in my breast" Referring to charges in congress that the presidents inaction regard
 ing the Cuban crop was largely re- sponslbe for the present sugar situ- ations MT. Palmer said, that "passing the buck is familiar pastime in ] this capital city and is not often mis- | understood by the psyblic," In asking extension of the Lever control law, the president did not , specifically refer to the sugar situ- : ation, the attorney general said, but he had it along with other food questions in mind.
 of congress had not ignored the request, president. the Cuban could and would have been bought" said he,
 l Although accepting responsibility |. for the prices for Louisiana sugar !, Mr. Palmer said that he did not per. : scnallv inspect the cost sheets sub {, mitted by Louisiana growers. This was dones he said. by District At } torney Mooney of Louisiana, who will appear before the committed ! later. tR The Louisiana sugar prices, MT Palmer explained. were charged aft
 CT the department. following inquiry and discussion with growers. hat announced that IT and IS cent! r would not lead to prosecution fol f profiteering.
 Only by the announcement of fai prices, the attorney general argued e could speedy protection be given tn, t public from profiteering. To deter e mine fair prices bv "test cases" il 2 court. as suggested by Representa- d tive Tinkham. republican. Massa e chusetts who introduced the resolu
 tion leading to the investigation e would have been "absurd and ridicul d ous," he declared, adding that whil e "test cases" were pending profiteer
 could charge whatever they pleased
 and "the people would have suffere'
 untold millions in expense, addin
 to their living costs.