Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-05
PRESIDENT IS GIVEN
POWER To SUSPEND
GRAIN SPECULATION
Record Vote of Senate on
House Bill Vests Executive
With Drastic. Powers over
Dealing in FOOdStuffS

WASHINGTON. June 1.-Ths first OF
the administration food bills already
passed BY the house passed the senate
late today with a record vote. Nj
nerous amendments were attached "a
the measure. which provides for food
survey and crop stimulation, and IL was
sent to conference. where the differ
ences will be thrashed out while the
two houses are considering the second
measure. providing for food control and
price fixing
The bill restricts drastically the stor-
ing Of foodstuffs. fuel and other neces-
stiles and speculation in futures and
carries a total appropriation OF spprOxiu
mately SIl.0oN0O0-
boarding or storage Of food. fuel or
other necessities o. life in order TO limit
the supply or affect prices would he
made a felony under the senate hoard
ing amendment. but farmers who hold
their own products would he excepted.
The amendment restricting futures
trading written by Senator Nelson and
voted into the bill 3 10 l.. Just hetore
passage. provides
IF at any time during the tendency
OF the existing war between the United
states and the German empire. the pres
fdent OF the United States shall find
that dealings in futures. in or about
any grain exchange. unduly or snrea-
SonabIy raise or enhance the price of
wheat or other food cereals. to the in
jury Of the people OF the United States.
he may at once request the traders in
such exchange to discontinue for time
specified by him all dealings in fu-
lures
In case such request is not prompt
~ complied with. then he is hereby en-
powered to order such dealings in flu
lures. as last aforesaid. TO be entirely
suspended and discontinued for such
limited time as ne may direct. and IL
such order is not promptly complied
with. ne may. by proclamation. declare
such exchange closed and thereafter il
shall be unlawful TO utilize or permit
TO be utilized such building or room as
a grain exchange or. for any person be-
ing a trader in grain on such exchange
to engage in the business heretofore
conducted on or at such closed ex-
change.
ANY person violating any Of the pro-
visions OF this act shall be punished
by a fine of not less than $500 or by
Imprisonment for not more than one
year. or by both such fine and impris-
onment
The senate also voted to curtail the
inquisiJorial power given the secretary
OF agriculture in the investigation OF
food resources
The house bill would compel the at
tendance of witnesses and the submits
sion of books and other records under
heavy penalty The senate agriculture
committee amended the provision so
as to give the secretary general author
iEatioH to investigate the food situa-
ton. making IL the duty OF any person
when requested by the secretary to an
swer all questions necessary TO carry
into effect the provisions of this sec
tion- The house appropriation of
f2.522.OOO to pay for the survey was &C
cepted unchanged
The section authorizing the govern
ment TO sell seeds TO the farmers also
was amended so as TO provide that sales
be made for cash only. The power 20
compel persons having seeds az their
disposal TO furnish them to the govern
ment was greatly curtailed and the ap-
preparation carried for the work was
reduced from S5.T7s.OOO to S2.5OO 900.
The house appropriation for eradication
OF live stock diseases was eliminated
and an Appropriation OF SSsO.OOO was
added to stimulate live stock produc-