Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1917-10-12
SUBSTITUTION ISBlGHTER

pending and stated his case so that
layman who knows nothing Of thu
problem of getting legislation through
the house and senate of the United
States could understand.
"The most vital thing in the country
right now, Cor the immediate future
and for the duration of this war, is the
full and complete control of the food
situation in the lines Of production,
conservation and proper and economic
distribution" said Mr.. Lever.
For this Mr., Lever has his hands
full. He is presenting to the nation a
plan Of wartime food control and reg
ulation without precedent in the his
tory of the country. He holds steadily
to the major purpose to increase and
conserve the nations food and to pro-
vide for the allied nations before it is
too late to avert what may prove a
serious condition.
TO thousands ASbury Francis Lever,
representative, is just a name. and a
name that cOnnotes the theoretical end
of the food problem at that The farm,
er digging away in his plowed field in
the summer heat and the housewife
getting ready to put up" berries in
her kitchen dub the man who is at
tending to this vital matter for them
a machine remote from the hardpan
of living
Problem of Kitchen and Farm.
The farmer and the housewife will
understand when one says that Mr..
Lever has the kitchen and the farm
end of the enormous subject at heart
and is as hard worked as any farmer
after a rush season OF blowing and a
little bit more so. This country is fac
ing certain fundamental facts affecting
the food situation. These are, accord
ing to Mr.. Lever:
That the world is existing on basis
of inflated currency.
That there is a tremendous gold sup
ply. reducing the purchasing power Of
gold.
That in this country there is great
ly disturbed transportation system,
poor shipping system.
That we have great shortage of
terminal facilities at ports
That we are in more or less of con-
dition of hysteria, causing individuals
to hoard food
That there is some food speculation,
with various and sundry things enter
ing into it.
Mr.. Lever explained the elements in
the food legislation now before the
lawmakers III Washington as they
stand today after the hashing over
they have had since being approved
and recommended by the president and
the secretary of agriculture. The first
so called Lever bill, which has reach
ed consideration in the senate as sub
stitute bill, provides for an appropria-
ton to make a rapid and wide survey
of the food situation under the auspices
of the department of agriculture. in
Guiding attention to seed conservation
and live stock SO much for this i'm
portant machinery. if the president is
given the authority asked under the
second Lever bill which places in the
hands Of the president very plenary
powers to handle the food and fuel
situation of the United States both as
it affects this country and the allies in
this war.
1t is Mr.. Levers belief that there is
not in this country today an alarming
situation, rather one to be taken up
in due time before such degree is
reached. In brief the bill would give
the president: s..s. -.....
Full Power For President.
Power to prevent boarding and mo-
nopolization OF food; power to prevent
extortion and extortionate prices and
corners; in extreme cases, authority
to take over storage plants, ware
houses, mines, factories, to operate
them and sch the products to the peo-
pie under regulations; to require con-
Germs engaged in storage warehousing
to be licensed and to do business under
rules governing their conduct. In or
der to stimulate production Of the
farmer. to Tx il guaranteed farmers
profit: to handle in the most effective
way. either rhiough regulation or by
absolute prohibition, the matter OF
speculation in the necessaries of life.
including fuel. clothing, fnodstuffs;
power to regulate the amount Of grain
that may be used IN alcoholic drinks
and even in nonalcoholic drinks or to
prohibit the use " gr"in in beverages
If he thinks it wise to do it
The bill will carry sufficient appro
priation to carry out the purposes and
to make good guarantees to the farm
ers. In order to obtain efficient returns
it is Mr. Levers hope that portions Of
the bill at least will lie iu operation Ivy
Sept. 10
81 believe the situation win get bet
ter that it would Lave improved with.
out this legislation ind that It will
immeasurably improve with Il, said
Mr. ToveF