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Show CONGRESS TAKING UP t HIGH COST OF LIVING WASHINGTON. Jan. 24. "I am gathering gath-ering proof which will show that American Ameri-can farm products aro being Bold cheaper abroad than they aro in this country," declared Secretary of Agriculture Wilson today at "the high cost of living" hearing hear-ing being conducted by a sub-commlt-tco of tho house committee on tho District Dis-trict of Columbia. Mr. Wilson gave evidence to show that tho producer at tho present tlmo was getting a Ilttlo moro than formerly for his food products, while the ultlmato consumor was paying an excessive price. "Until comparatively recently tho American people enjoyed tho cheapest food in tho world," continued Mr. Wilson, Wil-son, "but nowadays not enough people know how to farm profitably, know how to get enough out or a day's work, know how to make nn aero respond. The lure of the factory has called tho farmer from the nlow." "The worst farming In vthls country Is done east of tho Allegheny mountains, and agricultural land Is cheapest in that locality. In consequence," conllmicd Secretary Wilson, "tho boys have left tho farm, and the scarcity of labor Is now tho greatest concern of the agriculturalist. agri-culturalist. ' Secretary Wilson declared that Washington Wash-ington was one of tho most expensive cities ln the land, and that retailers in this city demanded 42 per cent profit, whoro In cities Hko New York and Philadelphia Phil-adelphia they were content with 17 to 20 per cent. Conditions at tho capital, however, with roferencc to tho cost of living, tho secretary said, wcro truo to a great extent of other cities. |