New-York tribune., 1917-07-12
Committee Members Favor
Conhning Legislation to
Wheat and Fuel
Dry Clause Retained
To Change Bill Only as to
Manner of Fixing Price
for Seized Liquor

Washington, July ll.-Consderable
progress toward a compromise on food
control legislation was made to-day in
the Senate, but several important feat
ures still are to be worked out. and the
whole outlook remains uncertain.
On the floor perfunctory debate con-
tinued on the Administration bill, which
leaders virtually have agreed to sban-
don. but in the Agricultural Committee
such headwsy was made with consider
able of Senator Cores substitute meas
ure that members said final committee
approval was withheld only because Of
minor details.
The committee, however, virtually
washed its hands Of the troublesome
prohibition issue, voting to put into the
substitute the same regulations which
I the Senate already has approved. These
! prohibit manufacture or importation of
! distilled liquors, and would also pro-
/ vide for government acquisition OF all
f liquor in bond at cost plus 10 per cent.
+ The latter provision, embodied in the
/ Smoot amendment, has been under re-
/ Peated attack both from vets and drys
since it's adoption.
Liquor Question Unsettled
/ Whether the committees action on
that point will be satisfactory TO the
/ Senate or will reopen the whole pro
hibition fight is problematical. Some
/ changes were made in the Smoot pro-
I vision in order to meet criticism re-
garding its eonstitutionality, and com
mitteemen said they hoped that would
quiet its opponents.
Tomorrow the committee will meet
again, and may give formal approval
to the measure and report it ss sub
stitute for the Administration bill.
+ The Democratic steering committee
also will hold a conference on the sub
ject in an effort TO make certain that
legislation finally is put before the
Senate which will command a major
ity when a vote is taken under agree
ment on July p.
Favor Limiting Control
Sentiment in the Agriculture Com
mittee to-day was said 10 be over
whelming in favor of legislation along
/ the lines of the Gore bill restricting
the general scope OF the legislation to
food and fuels. The committee infor-
mally approved amendments extending
Federal licensing provisions to fuel,
limiting absolute government control
to wheat and fuel, and changing the
language of the distilled beverage COM
Wandering section so as to remove
technical objections TO the price fixing
clause.
Whether the Gore substitute, or a
bin along similar lines. will be offered
finally with the Administration back
ing is yet to be determined. 1t is
probable that President Wilson's ad-
vice will be sought By leaders before
a substitute is formally recommended.
/ Among amendments to the original
/ bill tentatively adopted to-day by the
| Senate was one designed to permit sp-
pointment of food administration en-
/ ployes without regard to civil service
rules, but limiting their salaries TO a
maximum of $500.
Guard Federal "Plums"
Republican leaders vigorously OBJ
iected to employment of persons with
out observance Of civil service require
ments. Senator Lodge protesting that
I any attempt Ito draw political lines
on persons serving the country" would
be great mistake, and Senator Pen
rose declaring this another wonder
full opportunity TO give sinecures TO de
serving Democrats" while the Repub-
Leans are conscripted into the army.
Senator Gronns, Republican, and
member Of the Agriculture Commit
tee, declared there had been no pRrti
san politics in the amendment to limit
the civil service examination. The &C
tion OF the committee, he said, was
unanimous.
The Senate voted to retain section
providing that persons employed in
administration Of the measure shall
not be exempt from military service.
/ The Agriculture Committee had elimi-
mated this section.
Senator King charged that many
young men were seeking employment
with the government in order TO escape
. military service.