Evening star., 1917-05-16
The Food Control Problem.

The Food Control Problem.
Prompt heed should be given by Con-
gress to the Presidents urgent recon-
mendation for the passage of measures
which will enable the government to ex-
ercise control over the distribution of
the food supplies of this country, as
means of checking speculation, lower
ing prices and securing an equitable pro-
vision among consumers. This is one
of the most pressing national necessities
and should be rated as are those other
necessities to meet which laws are now
being enacted.
This country should attack the food
problem in the same revolutionary but
necessary way that it has met other
problems raised by the American entry
into the war. It has within the last few
weeks accomplished wonders. 1t has en-
acted, except for the routine-conclud-
ing formalities, law which makes an
army by conscription, thus establishing
q principle of universal service in over
turn of all American traditions. 1t has
wisely accomplished in few weeks,
against all its preconceived ideas, what
it took England many months of pain
full and costly hesitancy to do under
the duress of threat Of invasion and
even the possible overthrow Of the en-
pire.
It has started and is continuing
process of extraordinary taxation, lay
ing tremendous burden upon the pres
ent generation for the maintenance and
prosecution of the war, thus undertak-
ing to raise the adequate and necessary
funds for the discharge of its newly as
sumed responsibilities.
It has provided for an unprecedented
bond issue, not merely to provide funds
for its own immediate use, but to fur
nish the means of supplying money in
immense sums to sustain its allies in the
war, in apparent disregard of the warn
ings of the forefathers against "entan-
Cling" alliances, as heretofore construed
by many Americans.
After many years of discussion with
out action the country has begun the
process Of creating an adequate mer-
chant marine on vast scale, and is even
now proposing to spend more than a
billion dollars in this enterprise, so that
in short time the United States will
possess great merchant fleet, of value
not simply as a war measure, but of the
utmost importance in the distribution
Of supplies and the extension Of trade.
All these revolutionary accomplish
ments have been swiftly achieved, and
all wisely and in manner to make for
American development in time of peace
as well as American victory in time of
war. Just so, in wise overturn of ira
ditions and prejudices that recent events
have swept inevitably aside, We are 60
ing and should quickly go to the prob
lem of food handling.
In time of peace the high cost of liv-
ing and the evil of the manipulation of
food supplies were realized. For many
years all forms of agricultural develop
ment were encouraged and efforts were
made to induce the people to provide
themselves in large measure with their
own food necessities. But these were
small and inadequate accomplishments.
Now the time has come in the matter
Of the food problem when we can reach
results at which we would not in time of
peace have dared to hope to attain.
In the conditions that now prevail di-
rect control of the food supply by the
government is the only way to prevent
disaster both at home and abroad. There
must be no hysteria. We must not hang
food spectators, however much they
may deserve it. Nor must we eliminate
the stock exchanges altogether. What is
wanted is broad, quick, constructive
work that reaches the root of the evil
and will accomplish results.