New-York tribune., 1917-07-31
Whitman to Urge
Drastic Food Bill
Upon Legislature
Measure Approved by Hoo
yer Gives Absolute Con-
troll to Board of 3
From , s,.n Correspondent. Of III. Trsun.l

Trror , s,.r Correspondent. Of The Tnhunsl
Albany, July 80. A drastic food
measure, which will vest almost abso-
Lutte control in the hands Of small
commission, with q view to bringing
food prices nearer to the purse Of the
poorer citizen, is the plan of Gov
ernor Whitman, and will be outlined
in his message to the Legislature TO-
morrow night at the opening Of the
special session.
The Governor completed his proposed
food bill tonight There was every
indication that it would meet with
obstacles in the Legislature and that
the Governor would have a stiff fight
on his hands to carry his plan through.
Members of the joint Legislative
"War Committee" were in conference
here tonight, and there was considera-
bic talk of formulating a bill of their
own, which would tone down some Of
the drastic proposals of the Governor.
1t is understood that every detail
in the Whitman proposals has been
heartily approved by Herbert c.
Hoover, National Food Administrator,
at Washington. For that reason II is
expected that some of the legislators,
who declare that they will oppose the
Governors measure, will go slow, as
most Of them want it to appear that
they are willing to follow the recon-
mendations of the Federal authorities
in the food crisis as far as possible.
Control Vested in Board of Three
The proposed bill calls for a COM
mission of three unpaid members, who
will have complete charge of the food
products of the state, with power TO
seize food in cold storage, appraise it
and sell it directly to the consumer at
what they consider fair price. 1t is
proDosed to vest the commissic. with
the further power of going into private
"bns" and seizing foodstuffs wherever
they can show that the individual
owner is holding more in reserve than
he needs. The Governor also proposes
to give the commission authority to
build terminal warehouses and markets
for the storage and disposal Of the
food it "buys."
The chief opposition to the Whitman
programme is expected to come from
the commission merchants, particular
ly in New York and other large cities
of the state, whom the proposed legis-
lation would practically eliminate, and
the upstate farmers, great majority
of whom are said to be kindly dis
posed toward the commission merchant
or middleman.
Some of the leaders in the Senate
are already preparing to use dilatory
tactics. 1t is understood that they are
in favor of holding up any state food
| legislation until Congress has disposed
of the Federal food bill. 1t is likely
| that the Governors bill will be re-
ferred to committee at the opening ses-
! sion tomorrow night, and adjournment
taken for hearings upon 1t before the
| Joint legislative committee. A less
drastic measure may be presented by
members of the committee which will
serve the purpose OF marking time.
The suggestion was made to-day that
any action on food legislation should be
postponed until a uniform plan could
| be worked out in all the states. 1t
was proposed to invite the Governors
| of the various states to appear before
I the legislative committee and discuss
! Uniform laws on IOOu COHIIOl.
Say Whitman viii Win
The Governor declared that he did
not propose to have food legislation
| held up in this state for any unrea-
sonable time. He said he had little con.
Germ as to what other states might do
1t is the consensus Of opinion here to-
night that the Governor will win the
| fight.
II is understood that the Governor
will confne himself exclusively to food
legislation in his first message to the
special session. Other less important
matters will probably be taken up in
| later messages, such as the correction
Of the defects in the recent reapportion.
ment of the Aldermanic districts in New
York City and an appropriation fol-
the maintenance of the port quaran.
| tine station New York, which the Fed.
eral government failed to take over
I July /, as expected.