Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-10


food control bill with its drastic pro-
hibition features Convinced that the
bill is loaded down and that the
liquor provision for government pur-
chase of all distilled spirits is uncon-
stitutional and either must be amend
ed or stricken out, senate leaders held
conferences swhile the debate proceed
ed on the floor in an effort to devise
amendments to pave the way for final
passage ,of the bill.
The democratic steering committee
met before the senate convened but
was unable to reach an agreement and
definite action was deferred. Senators
said the situation among the steering
committee members was as chaotic as
that In the senate.
To meet the constitutional objections
that his amendment illegally imposes
upon dlstillers the price to be paid for
their liquor, Senator Smoot proposed
to add an amendment to another sec
ftion Of the bill. Another plan consid-
cred by the steering committee was to
recommit the bill to the agriculture
committee with recommendations to
, correct the Smoot amendment and also
eliminate cotton, steel. iron and pos
Esibly other products from che govern
ment control proposed.
Lodge Points to Dangers.
Senator Lodge. acting republican
leader, made a long speech In the sem
ate criticising the sweeping scope OF
the bill as inimical to business. He
regretted invoking the cloture rule.
What troubles me in this biI," he
said, "is the attempt to set aside eco
nomic laws. This bill undertakes to
give to the president absolute control
Of business in this country"
Senators from wheat producing
states and great centers Of wheat dis
tribution the Massachusetts senator
declared, had told him that the mere
threat of this bill had for the moment
destroyed the wheat market and dis
arranged the great machinery Of dis
tribution. II am told" he added, that
a proposition already has been made
to AK the price Of sugar. which would
make it impossible for the beet sugar
men to make any profit" He Is op-
posed to forcing copper producers to
sell at abnormally low prices. I'VE
may save something" he said. but
we will lose more In the closing Of
small mines that are producing the
surplus vitality needed"
Business Already Disturbed.
When Senator Chamberlain suggest
ed that the bill does not direct but
merely authorizes the president to take
control Of products, Senator Lodge
said the mere probability already had
disturbed commerce. He declared con-
gress would give all the legislation
needed to cope with food speculators.
Such men are nothing moro than
criminals," he said, "and should be
punished to the fullest extent. But
this bill goes far beyond that and we
should go extremely slow in disturb
ing the ordinary laws Of trade and of
economics"
Pork Bill Reported.
with it's total 81 7.o2s. 900, an increase
OF S130,OO0 over the appropriations. az
passed by the house. the house rivers
and harbors bill was reported to the
senate today by the commerce COM
mittee.
CANT pass Bill This Week.
In an effort to modify the bill to
meet various objections, the agricul-
ture committee was called together.
Senator Gore prepared amendments
limiting government control to food
stuffs and fuel. eliminating wire, steel.
copper and cotton.
Recognizing the imposslbility OF
passing the bill this week as planned.
senator Cham late late :casy pro-
sented new request for an agreement
to vote finally on Saturday, July d,
with debate limited In the meantime.