Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-19
MORE AMENDMENTS
TO THE FOOD BILL
Joint Conference of Democratic
and Republican Leaders
Makes Progress.
SOME BITTER DEBATE.
Charges Of Possible Graft HinteA at In
senate-Further Attack and De-
fence Of Herbert G. Hoover.

Washington, July N.-Sentiment IN the
Senate toward compromising differences
on the food control bill apparently crystal
lied to-day on a group Of amendments
drawn UP at joint conferences Of demo-
cratic and republican leaders.
While on the Senate floor another day
was spent in criticism Of the defense coun-
Gil and other executive bodies. reprint
ers' proposals which are expected to re-
move many basic objections and develop
general support.
REvISIONS RECOMMENDED.
Principal revisions recommended by the
leaders are for Limitation Of government
control Of foods. feeds and fuels, includ-
ing kerosene and gasoline; creation Of a
special board Of food administration Of
three salaried commissioners. instead Of
administrations by an individual; fixing
by Congress of a basic minimum price Of
$1.75 per bushel for No. 1 northern wheat;
extension of government licensing to ele-
vators. farm machinery. factories, pack
ing houses, coal mines and dealers, fertil-
izer producers and wholesalers OF such
products, and government purchase and
sale to secure reasonable prices, Of fuel.
wheat flour, meal, beans and potatoes
only.
Voting on these proposals and other
amendments is expected to begin to-mor-
row. Among the first to come UP probably
will be that under discussion to-day. re-
stricting sale to the government of
products In which the volunteer advisers
Of the defense council are personally in
terested. Many senators during the days
debate urged legislation to prohibit such
government representatives from selling
their own wares to the government,
Senator Mcclellan. democrat, of Ten.
nessee. made long speech criticising the
contract policy Of the councils advisory
body. The seven per cent. commissions for
supervising construction Of army canton.
ment camps. he declared, will milk the
government" Of about $250.0OO for each
Of the sixteen camps. He charged that
Inside rings" dominate contracts for the
army. let without competitive bids.
/ World old standards Of honesty and
ethics. declared Senator johnson Of Cali.
fornia, republican, require that govern.
ment representatives shall not serve in g
dual capacity-for themselves and the
government. Senator Townsend Of Michi.
gan. another republican, warned that "a
host of vultures are flocking to Washing
ton" to secure war contracts. and tina,
the opportunity for graft. II not eliminated
might develop a public scandal.
Shoe contracts were the basis OF
criticism by Senator Kenyon Of Iowa
republican. who said men were using in
huence to get contracts and advocated
action prohibiting government representa-
tives from contracting for Their owl
products.
During the days debate. Herbert C
Hoover. the food administrator. alst
was criticised by Senator Gore ant
warmly defended by Senators Cham
berlain and Myers.
Senator Weeks attacked the ship
ping board and its fleet corporation
for not Fastening action on the ship
ping program.
The opinion was general to-nigh
that the bipartisan compromis
amendments would go far towar,
solving the Senates difficulties owe
the legislation. A considerable tactic,
plans. however. to fight for govern
ment control Of iron and steel pro
ducts and others favor a food boar,
OF five instead Of three members.
The amendment creating the boar
as drafted by the leaders provides:
THAT the President is authorize,
and directed to appoint. by and will
the advice of the Senate. three com
missioners. at annual salary Of $500
who shall constitute a board Of foo
administration and who shall perform
such duties in carrying out the pur
poses OF this act as the Presiden
shall direct. One Of said commis sion
ers shall be a farmer actually engage
at the time Of his appointment in tn
cultivation of the soil. The Presiden
shall designate the chairman of sal
body. Said commissioners shall hol
office at the pleasure of the Presiden
during continuance of the war"