The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-06-29
LEVER ON FOOD CONTROL.
South Carolina 0nglH >saian Te;!S
Why Radical Legi'iatioE Is
Necessary.

The following statement OF the
scope and general purposes Of the
Lever bill for food control is from
Congressman Levers speech in the
House of Representative opening de-
bate on this measure:
Mr.. Chairman, whether the country
realizes it or not, we are now engag-
ed in war with the most thoroughly
organized and autocratic military na-
ton on the face of the earth. Her
people are the most stubborn IN
thought, tenacious in purpose, re-
sourceful in methods anu for genera
tions have been schooled and trained
with the one predominant thought
Of world dominance through indus
trial and military proE'ess. Their in
dustries have been organized down
to the minutest detail to fit into the
military machine which is recognized
to be the most efficient and capable
and powerful ever brought together
since the beginning of time.
The contest between German au-
tocracy and American democracy Will
be determined in the end by the
characterization end strength of the
organization, which one can put
against the other. A loose -jointed,
unorganized democracy has no ghost
of a chance in a contest with such
an autocrary as is Germany. Organ
ization is the only weapon with
which organizations can be overcome.
Organization, as the term is used here,
means not only whipping into shape
the man power of the nation, the
money power of the nation, but as
well every resource OF the nation
which may be used in the contest.
That a democracy can be organized
has been demonstrated repeatedly in
history. It is being demonstrated in
a remarkable way at this very time
in this country.
In the short space of few months
the foundation Of great army has
Seen laid, the expenditure of $1,000
600, 900 has been authorized and the
machinery for the mobilization of this
stupendous sum is we'll under way.
The enthusiastic reception by the
American people of the liberty bonds,
largely over-subscribing them, is the
best test Of their willingness to get
together as one in the prosecution OF
the task before them: order is being
worked out of chaos in the shipping
irdust-y of the country; the railroads
are rapidly developing plans to meet
the strain upon them incident to the
enlarged and rather d;sorganized COM
merce of the nation; the federal re-
serve system, with its power TO as
sent, quickly and at strategic points
the financial resources Of the nation,
fortunat iy is already weil-established
and in 9. ,ation; our munition facto-
ries a-o a:ghly efficient and our navy
yards are, capable and ready.
Indispensable as are these, they do
not include all that is needed to win
this war.
Germany was ready with her great
army, her navy, her industrial ma
chinery, her State-co controlled ship
ping, her state-controlled transporta
ton facilities, her closely coordinated
banking system, her navy yards, her
great Krupp's establishments and her
warlike attitude Of mind. All these
she had, but within nve days after
the mobilization of her army on the
French front her food and fuel be-
came a matter also of the most rigid
State control.
In the light of events it is easy
to understand the German Govern
ment's solicitude in the past for as