Show BOTH HOUSES MAY High Cost of Living Likely to Cut Figure in Fall Fal Campaign Washington Feb 6 Whether the Senate and House will wi conduct rival in investigations investigations into the cause of ot the high cost of at living Is a question that con concerns concerns on cerns Republican political leaders more deeply than any other oter problem now before Congress CongressI If I both bodies conduct such an ex examination examination the leaders fear that dif different dl ferent forest conclusions may be reached and that such differing reports on the eve of at the Congressional elections will wil prove embarrassing to the Republican majority Nevertheless Republicans of the Senate apparently are determined to order such an inquiry and to conduct It with wih tho the utmost dispatch regardless of the views of ot House leaders The Lodge resolution reported from the Senate committee on finance has ha been amended so as to provide for a committee of ot seven Senators and it i probably will be reported tomorrow from the committee on o contingent ex cx expenses expenses The enlarged committee will wil give Senator Elkins opportunity to serve sero as a one of the Investigators If he cares to and will wi unite unie the tho Republicans cans in favor of the inquiry House May Quit There is a probability that the investigation proposed by the House com corn committee committee on ways and means may not be ordered but no decision has been reached That the inquiry will wl be virtually political in character is 15 admitted on every ever side The Republican leaders concede that the agitation over the cost of at living will wi play a a prominent part In the Congressional campaign and they the show no disposition to die dis disguise guise their purpose to fix Ix up their fences Especially Especial it i seems they want to re ro refute refute fute charges that the tariff Is responsible responsible responsible sible for the increases They will wil try to show that there is a wide difference between wholesale and retail prices and that the tariff Is not responsible for these differences It I is reported that President Taft desires the effect of the te tariff upon necessaries of life to be determined by b the inquiry and that he will wi not tolerate any effort efort to gloss over any Weeks Work Blocked Out Appropriation bills bis will occupy the attention of the House this week but butin butIn butin in the Senate an effort will wi be made to t complete the postal savings bank bill to have a vote yote not later than Thursday or Friday Of Ot the Presidents policies It Is likely that the statehood bill tl next will wl be considered by the Senate Practically no interest is being taken by either branch of at Congress in com corn committee hearings In the administration bill bil for creation creato of a court of com corn commerce commerce merce and amending the th railroad rate laws Open sessions have hae been held but low few feW members of ot Congress have taken the trouble to investigate their progress and even members of at the committee have hae not shown the interest usual to such legislation There is a disposition to pass the bill bi In the form formin fOmIn in which It was presented by Attorney General Wickersham Friends and enemies of ship subsidy legislation in the House are lining up for a sharp arp contest contest There is nothing to indicate when a vote may ma be had hadon hadon hadon on the bill bU Legislation of ot this char character character character acter has never neer been successful In the House although it i has ha passed the tho Sen Sea Senate Senate ate on o several occasions It I is likely that the subsidy measure Will wil pass the Senate and If held un In the House will wU be passed to that body as a a rider on the appropriation bill bl |