The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-06-19
FOOD HOGS GET
$25O,00O,000 IN
FIVE MONTHS
Bread Twenty. Five Percent
Cheaper in England Than in
United States Says Hoover y
SPECULATION IN ALL
LINES RUNS RAMPANT
Friends Of Lever Regulation Bill
Deny It Will Establish a Food
Dictatorship in America

Washingto... sJune 19-Food specu-
lators have been taking fifty million
dollars a month for the last five
months-a total of quarter Ola bill
ion dollars-from the American peo-
pie, Herbert C. Hoover told senators
today in explaining the purpose of
the food control bill now before con-
gress. .,.. @ >.s..
MIR. Hoover outlined the question of
food supply.
The real question, he said, prelimin-
ary to senatorial questioning, is
whether the shortage will continue
next year, and what will be the needs
of the Allies and America.
Allies Need Food.
"The Allies are dependent upon
North America for the vast majority
of their imports. We should be able
require. The other 40 per cent must
be made up by further denial on their
part and saving on ours. We can in
crease our surplus. The situation for
them means increased privation. With
out adequate food supply no European
population will continue to fight, and
we shall find ourselves alone against
Germany.
Revolution a Food Riot.
'The Russian revolution was food
riot and even yet that ally Is tempors
arily paralyzed." Il: II .-lS
Turning to domestic conditions Mr..
Hoover said this country has been
experiencing unprecedented prices
and RAMPANT speculation" reciting
how middfenien and other persons in
the distribution process have been
purchasing increasing supplies to
avert individual shortages. .,s.~
Cites Canning Trade.
Mr.. Hoover cited the canning trade
as an example where the entire out
put of vegetables and fish for 1917
have been disposed of already before
it has even reached the canneries. He
predicted further high prices.
Thousands of men," he said, "who
hitherto have not owned dollars
worth of food supplies, are now spec
ulating. The average price in coun-
tries where food control is in effect
is lower than in the United States.
In England the price of bread is even
rs per cent below the price we pay.
believe, unless some administration
of our food is taken, we will look back
at these prices as being moderate"
He denied the bill would establish q
food dictatorship. T. :. sG.1 n'Mu
Disclaiming entirely that the bill set
up a food dictatorship, Mr.. Hoover
told senators its purposes were to or
.ganize the resources of the country
and the people themselves into food
administration to limit the middle
mems commission and prevent extor.
tion.. : see=a .-s& &li.-'2..l. ..
Flour Should Be So.
with righteous manufacturers and
distributors" he said, "the price of
flour should not have been over 50
barrel, yet it averages $14> In: the
last five month $3.50, ,OO0, 900 has been
made in excess of normal profits"
Not single national trade associa.
tion, Mr.. Hoover told the senators, is
opposed to the food control bill. The
prospective food administrator went to
the senate today to explain the bill
in the hope of allaying opposition.
To Stabilize Prices.
provision for the government to
buy and sell commodities will be used
as to very few prime commodities"
Mr.. Hoover said. THE aim is to sta.
bilize prices and thus eliminate specu.
lation. The balance wheel for stabiliz-
ing of prices is gone. We need an
artificial balance wheel. BY setting up
a wheat commission we can buy
wheat, regulate it's storage and trans
portation and handle it until exported
or sold here. If we don't do this
wheat prices may relax on account of
our not being able to store and carry
it, with spectators. procuring the sole
benefit. and farmers bearing the loss.
1--WE can contract tomorrow with
the Allies for a certain return for
every bushel of wheat we can SELL
By controlling prices at interior ter.
minals, we can insure millers their
supplies and simplify transportation"