Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-20
HOOVER BECOMES
FOOD CONTROLLER
Accepts on Condition That
Neither He nor Assistants Re-
ceive Pay for Services.
STATEMENT By PRESIDENT
Outlines Administration Pro-
gram, Which Asks Vast Pow
ers for Period of War.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT
IBv A.socia,ed rrcs,

WASHlNGTON. May la-President
Wilson outlined the ADMINISTRATORS
food control program in a statement
Tonight, and declared the powers
asked FOR tho government are no
greater than those other governments
At war have been compelled 10 take
There Is no intention. he said 10 re-
cesses Of production.
The statement also makes formal
announcement that Herbert G. Hoover
has been asked 10 become food ad-
ministrator. and that he has accepted
on condition that neither he nor his
Immediate assistants shall receive pay
for their services.
Although it is absolutely neccs-
sary that unquestionabie powers be
placed in my hands" says the Pres
identS statement. 81 am confident that
the exercise OF those powers will he
necessary only in the few cases where
some small and selfish minority proves
unwilling to put the nations interests
above personal advantage"
TO CARRY OUT WORK
ON VOLUNTEER BASIS
Air Hoover proposed that the food
administration be divided into four
great branches. whose duties he de-
fined in detail Most of the work
would be carried out by men and
women Of the country on volunteer
basis. III this cannot be done" said
MIR. Hoover's statement. II shall GER
tainiy and willingly surrender the
task 10 some other method of emer-
Gency. hold that democracy can
yield TO discipline and that we can
solve this food problem for our own
people and our allies in this way, and
that TO have done so will have been a
greater service than our Immediate
objective, for We viii have demon
strated the rightness of our faith and
our ability TO defend ourselves with
out being Pruss ia Dized."
With the President Mr.. Hoover be-
iieves II rarely will become necessary
TO apply large powers.
PRESIDENT OUTLINES SCOPE
OF POWERS HE ASKS
The Presidents statement follows:
II Is very desirable, in order TO pre-
vent misundersta andings or alarms and
assure cooperation in vital matter
mat the country should understand
eHact!y the scope and purpose of the
very great powers which have
thought necessary in the circumstance:
TO ask the Congress TO put in my hands
with regard TO food supplies These
powers are very great indeed, but they
are no greater than ii has proved
necessary TO lodge in the other govern.
ments which are conducting this mo-
mentous war. and their object is slim
ulation and conservation not arbitrary
restraint or injurious interference win
the normal processes of production
They are intended to benefit and ass:s,
the farmer and all those who play
legitimate part in the preparation. dis
trihution and marketing Of foodstuffs
DISTINCTIoN BETWEEN NORMAL.
AND EMERGENCY ACTIVITIES
1T is proposed to draw sharp line
OF distinction between the normal
activities of the government repre-
sented in the Department OF AgricuI
ture in reference TO food production and
conservation and marketing on the one
hand. and the emergency activities
necessitated by the war in reference
TO the regulation of food distribution
and consumption on the otheA All
measures intended directly TO eXteno
the normal activities of the Depart
ment of Agriculture in reference to the
production. conservation and the mar
ketinS of food crops will be admits
tered as III normal times through that
department, and the powers asked for
over distribution and consumption. over
exports. imports, prices, purchase and
reduisition of commodities. storing and
the like. which may require regulation
during the war will be placed in the
hands of a commissioner of food ad
ministratior. appointed by the Pres
idcnt and directly responsible to him.
The objects sought To he served by
tho legislation asked for arc full in
q,iiry into the existing available stocks
OF foodstuffs, and into tho costs and
practices OF the various food -produc
ing and distributing trades: tho pre-
vcntion OF all unwarranted boarding
of every kind. and OF the control of
foodStnfS by persons who are not in
tho legitimate sense producers. dealers
OF traders: the rcpusitioning when
necessary for the public use of food
supplies. and of tho equipment ncccs
Sary for handling them properly: tho
licensing of wholesome and legitimate
mixtures and milling percentages and
the prohibition If tho unnecessary or
wastcful use Of foods. Authority is
asked also TO establish prices. but not
in order to limit the profits uf the
farmers. but only To guarantee To them
when necessary a minimum price
which will insure them profit where
they arc asked TO attempt new crops.
and To secure tho consumer against
extortion by breaking up corners and
attempts at speculation when they oc-
cur by fixing temporarily reasonable
price at which middlcmen may sell.
HOOVER 10 RIcCEIvt;
NO PAY FOR SERVICES
81 have asked Mr. Herbert Hoover to
undertake this all-important task Of
food administration. lie has expressed
his Willingness to do so on condition
that he is TO receive no payment for
his services. and that the whole Of
the force under him. exclusive OF clcri-