New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-19
Conference Arranged as
Bill Is Attacked in
Both Houses
Measure Denounced
AS Too Autocratic
Administration Spokesmen
Urge Need of Power to
Rout Crooks"

Washington, June ls.-Opening OF
debate to-day in both branches of Con.
gress on the second Administration
food bill-for governmental control Of
foodstutfs and other necessaries-dis-
closed determined opposition.
In an effort to sllay Senate opposi-
ton, il was arranged to-day 70 have an
informal conference tomorrow between
Senators and Herbert C. Hoover, chosen
by the President to be food admins
traitor, with immediate charge of exer-
cising the powers sought. At the sug-
gestion of Senator Ransdell. Mr..
Hoover was invited TO appear at pub
lie meeting of the Agricultural Com
mittee tomorrow morning, before the
Senate convenes, and explain the legis-
lation. A general invitation to oil Sen
ators to attend and question Mr.. Hoover
was extended.
In the initial discussion Of the bill
Administration spokesmen urged that
mobilization of Americas food power
in the war demanded radical steps"
and the vesting of "new and wide pow
ers" in the President.
The opposition protested that die
tatorship and interference with busi-
ness and individual rights were pro-
posed, and questioned the constitution
ality of the legislation.
uyfI..~ uY.--. rocx~..s
The President, in a letter to Repre-
sentative Borland, warned Congress
that opponents Of the plan might be
playing into the hands Of the food
gamblers. II follows:
The White House, June Is, 1917.
My Dear Mr.. Boland: You are quite
right about the food administration meas
ure. In my opinion. 1t is one of the most
important and most imperatively necessary
OF the measures which have been proposed
In connection with the war.
A certain disservice has been done the
measure by speaking of IL as the food
control bill The object Of the measure
is not to control the food Of the country.
bu. to release il from the control of specu-
lators and other persons who will seek 70
make inordinate profits out Of it and 70
protect the people against the extortions
which would result. II seems 10 me that
those who oppose the measure ought very
seriously consider whether they are not
playing into the hands Of such persons and
whether they are not making themselves
responsible. should they succeed. for the
extraordinary and oppressive price OF food
in the United States Foodstuffs WILL Of
course. inevitably be high. but It is possi-
bic by perfectly legitimate means TO keep
them from being unreasonsbly and oppres-
sively high.
hope and believe that the Congress viii
see the measure in this light. and that II
will come 10 an early passage, for time m
of the essence The legislation should b~
secured by July /. 70 make the country
safe against the dangers IL Is meant TO
guard against. Cordially and sincerely
yours. "OoDho" "iLooN'
Hon William I. Borland, Houe of Rep
resentatiyes.
House Begins Night Sessions
Both houses made the measure their
pending business, with the purpose OF
keeping the legislation continuously
under discussion until disposed OF, ex-
cluding virtually all other business.
The House held the first OF series OF
night sessions to expedite the debate
and night sessions may be resorted to
later in the Senate.
There was scant attendance OF mem
bers in either branch, about 70 to loo
STAYING on the floor in the House, ano
an average of less than thirty IN the
Senate.
Senator Chamberlain, Of Oregon, IN
charge of the bill in the Senate, urged
il as a war necessity, declaring govern
mental control Of food as essential as
men and munitions. Senator Shep-
pard, of Texas, Democrat, and Senator
Kenyon, of Iowa, Republican, also
spoke in behalf Of the bill.
In the House Chairman Lever, of
the House Agriculture Committee, also
emphasized the necessity Of the legis-
lation. He said the President could be
trusted with the powers proposed and
that they would be invoked against
crooks" and not against legitimate
business interests.
Opposition in the Senate was voiced
by Senator Gore, chairman OF the
Agriculture Committee; Reed and
Vardaman, Democrats, and Gallinger,
Republican.
In the House opposition was led by
Representatives Haugen, Of Iowa, Re
publican, and Young. of Texas, Demo
crat. Both declared the legislation Is
unnecessary and unwise and aimed al
most solely at the rural producers.
Opposition Senators complained OF
alleged delay Of the House in passing
the iirst Administration food bill, de-
signed TO stimulate production and also
prevent boarding and speculation.
They said the production bill and the
sherman antitrust laws would be
ample 70 cope with spectators
Advocates OF the bill in the Senate
planned 20 hold their discussion here
after TO a minimum, TO expedite the
measure and with view 20 invoking
the anti-flbuster rule IL necessary,
without being charged with having used
q disproportionste share OF the time.
-. s-I1 aaNA