Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-23
SOCIALISTS ASK
FOR FOOD D[PO1S
PETITIONS PRESENTED TO CON-
cREss SIGNED az MORE THAN
100000 PERSONS.
ADVANCED As EFFORT TO
BREAK HIGH PRICES
Food Spectators Charged With Man
ipulatina Products and Arbitrarily
Boosting Prices-Markets Where
consumsr and Producer Could Meet
susssstsd-Lodss in Town Meeting.
Especial correspondence.)

Especial COrTeSpONueI1Ce.I
Washington. Feb. 23-Congressman
William Kent. Of California. has filed
petitions in the house signed by more
han 100. 900 persons in favor Of public
food supply depots.
The petitions which are addressed
to the president and the congress OF
the United States, are AZ follows:
"whereas, tho spectators are arbi-
rarily and unnecessarily raising tho
price Of the necessities Of life; and
Whereas. the United States gov
ernment should conserve and protect
he interests Of the producers and con-
suniers as against those spectators
who are robbing the people, rnultitudes
If whom are already in dire need.
Therefore,
1--WE hereby petition the president
and the congress OF the Unlted states
% establish in the strategic industrial
and AGRICULTURAL centers of the nation
food supply depots and such other ia
cilities as are necessary to maintain a
just market for the producers and for
the purchase of food products and for
tho sale OF these necessities OF life d.
rect to the people,"
Sent Out by Socialists.
These petitions were sent out by the
national executive committee OF the
socialist party.
Mr.. Kent in a speech in the house,
said:
I'VE all know that the abuse exists
and that profits derived from secula-
ton and all costs incident to specula-
ton represent parasitism and not pro-
duction. 1t is no new thing for munic-
qualities to establish markets wnere
producer and consumer meet.
He added that the question deserved
the consideration of the government.
The petitions were referred to the
house committee on interstate and for
eign commerce.
"Town Meeting" Develops Lodge.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, VINO mas
been one Of the chief leaders OF the
filibuster against the ship purchase
dill and who has acquired reputation
as one Of the most astute parliament
tarians in congress. got large snare
of his parliamentary education IN the
New England town meeting.
In many parts Of the country the
>own meeting Is not an institution. But
IN others. It Il. IT Is one Of the chiel
institutions of New England and Sen
etor Lodge is a believer in 1t and a
participant.
Senator Lodge lives at Nahant and
about the middle Of March he will go
to Nahant, no matter what Is occurring
in Washington, to take part in the Ma
liant town meeting. For several years
he has been moderator Of it. And
friends OF the Senator say there is
nothing that gives him as much Pleas
are and satisfaction as to particiate IN
he town meeting at his home.
1t need not be imagined a New Eng
land town meeting Is a tame affair. 1t
IS the habit Of the Yankee and other
New Englanders to speak their minds
freely on such occasions and some
times there are parliamentary joustings
and verbal encounters that would rival
a scene In senate filibuster.
A year or so ago, at one Of the Ma
hant meetings. there was big fight
over building new town hall Senator
Lodge and one OF his Irish constituents
got into a sharp fight over the action
to be taken. Lodge left the chair, got
down on the floor and threshed the
thing out. He won by few votes. A
building committee was named and
Lodge, as moderator chose his Irish
opponent as one Of the committee. as a
member Of which he proved highly eff
ficient.
What did you put him on the COM
mittee for?' someone asked.
Because he's got brains" said
Lodge.
about the middle Of March," said
friend OF the Massachusetts, senator
Today, you'll see Henry Cabot Lodge
setting out with great glee for the
Nahant town meeting You couldn't
keep him away. This year. with his
fresh experience in the senate flibuster
he VIII be fully prepared to help settle
the questions that arise"