Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-02-22 | Page 4 | Jump in Prices at Bostion will be Looked Into

JUMP IN PRICES AT BOSTON WILL BE LOOKED INTO BO? TON. Feb. 21. The recent .tump :r. food prices here will be the subject of special investigation by the federal grand jury. L'nited States Attorney Gene'-jl George W. Andeison announced tonlghi. The in-.tuirv, whi'di will begin next Tuesday, Tues-day, lie stated, will te directed to detr-rc.lne detr-rc.lne "how far, if at all." these marked increases are due to acts obnoxious to the federal r ntt-trust laws. The federal government proposes to use its full power to prevent r xi orrioix it was stated. ' Three women claiming to reriresent resi-lents of the wct-end -district and a deleuation from the housewives" league, made an unsuccessful attempt today to see Governor McCall to request hi in to take some action toward reducing tiie present high prices of food. The women said their families were facingi starvation and that immediate relief was' necessary. Governor McCall. who was engaged when the rielega uon arrived, issued the following statement: f "We are in a state of war so far as prices are concerned. The exports from this country during Janua'ry were at the rate of ST.o' O.Onu.OOO a year, which is altogether too much "of a dra m upon t he material resources of the nation. s We exchange our food for gold, but in the kist i nr. lysis food is nifre j necessary to the people than gold. We can eat one. but we cannot eat ' the other. Foreign countries have found (t necesarv to regulate the prices of food. The food control le r of Great Britain yesterday fixed the maximum price of potatoes bought bv the pound" at $1.90 a bushel. The price in Boston Bos-ton Is $4.20 a bushel, and so with oilier articles. If '.hero is trround for interference in I England and upon the eoiitinent. there cenainly is as much grounJ for interfercnee in the ('ruled Stales and tv.r action in defense of our people, many of -whomare threatened with starvation.