The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-10-12
license FOR FOODSTJfFS
TO PROTECT THE PATRIOT

washington, OCl. S-N uu4A 81
day or two President Wilson Will IS
sue proclamation requiring all
persons engaged in importing, manu-
featuring, storing and distributing
certain fundamental foodstaffs to Sc
cure a license from the food admins
traitor, Herbert c. Hoover.
Meat packers, cold storage ware
houses, millers, Gamers, elevators,
grain dealers, wholesale distributors
and retailers doing business OF
more than 100000 annually, will ali
Ie REQUIRED to take out the licenes,
which must be applied for before No
vmber /.
About twenty basic commodities
and their products have been selected
by the food administration as forming
the prime basis of life, and the licens-
ing control will be limited to these
commodities. The administration mas
also, so far as possible, eliminated
the smallest units OF business in these
staples. The commodities have not
yet been stated. Under the licensing
system the government hav complete
control over the industries indicated
and can penalize Or can revoke the
licenses for violation Of the law.
To Keep Supplies Moving.
"a formal statement issued today ny
the food administration declares:
"It IS the purpose Of the food ad-
ministration to effect conservation IN
the commercial use of these commodf-
ties, and to keep them flowing toward
the consumer in direct lines through
the channels of trade in as economi-
cal manner as possible. The admin
istration does not wish to disturb the
normal and necessary activities OF
business, and no business factor who
lis performing a useful function will
be expected to surrender that func-
tion."
The administration is, however,
charged with several duties.
''The producer must have free
outlet and ready market.
There must be no manipulation Ct
speculation in foods
There must be no boarding in
foods.
Unfair or unreasonable profits
must be eliminated
discriminatory and deceptive AID
wasteful practices which in any way
restrict supply or distribution must
be stopped.
These are the provisions of the
food law The licensing system which
was authorized by the law provides a
more effective machinery for its en-
forcement. It must not be thought
that those operations become illegal
only upon the issue Of licenses. They
have been illegal since the 10th Of
August, when the law was passed,
and numerous cases coming to the at
tention. of the food administration have
been corrected. The licensing has
the effect of giving definition to the
provisions of the bill and the practices
which the trades should respectively
follow in connection Herewith"
Regulation Starts November l
After November /, no unlicensed
person will be permitted to trade in
the commodities enumerated in the
Forthcoming proclamation. Those
who receive licenses must from time
to time report to the food administra-
ton, but their reports will be safe
guarded so that their competitors may
not benefit
"The food administration states
that while it has powers to revoke
licenses and impose penalties, yet,
it's purpose is ."to accomplish these
ends of public service and war ser
vice, SO far as possible, not by coer-
cion, but by patriotic cooperation u
About two hundred conferences held
with representative of various trades
have shown, says the food admins
tration, that the licensing system will
really be protection to the great
majority of producers and distribut-
crs as we'll as to the public against
the comparatively few spectators
and price-raisers. Part of the state
,oopt raadc.