OCR Text |
Show AGENTS OBEYING WiLSOIH ORBER Washington Aug. 14 - Agents of the department of commerce began their work todav as part of the In-1 vestigation ordered by President Wilson to determine if food prices in U : ,.ntptF oi-a Vioincr c Ti f I . i :i I I V raised because of the European war These Instructions were sent to field agents in New York, Boston, Se attle, Chicago, Atlanta and New Or leans. Instructions to Agents. "You are instructed to Inquire im mediately and carefully whether there has been a recent rise In retail prices in vour city and vicinity and if so on what articles and to what extent "Special attention should be given to foodstuffs and articles of clothing and other necessities Learn w hether1 the advance, if it exists, is general or confined to particular commodities, and if so. what ones Find if it has j been sudden or gradual and if any articles have fallen in price Learn what reasons are given for any advance ad-vance tbat may have occurred and inquire in-quire particularly as to whether such reasons are the actual ones. "Give special care to determining if there has been any advance due to speculation, either on the general war situation, or on the temporary delay in ocean transit Consider whether a fair stock exists or Is avail ; ble of any commodity that may have been advanced and whether the facts show a purpose to use the war situa tlon to secure undue extra profits "Study to learn if any combination exists to advance of prices under ex isting conditions. When the facts shall have been determined sufficiently suffi-ciently to give a clear Idea of the general situation, report them prompt ly to tlio chief of the bureau of foreign for-eign and domestic commerce and con tlnue the inquiry subject to his In structlons." |