The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-21
Wide Powers To Be Fixed for
Herbert HOover's Use.
White House Urges Immediate
Action in Senate.
FIGHT OUTLOOK ON PRICES
Bitter Opposition to Authorize
ton of Power to Wilson.
Prohibition of Manufacture OF
IntOxicants Is Up Later.

Washington, May 21.-Fixing wide
powers for Herbert Hoover, the coun-
try's war food administrator, was the
task before the senate today.
Spurred on by urgent word from
the White House that immediate ac-
tior should be taken to enable Hoover
to assume his stupendous task, admin
istration leaders were prepared to give
the food control bill the rlght OF way
until it is disposed Of
In order to accelerate action on the
measure, Senator Gore. Oklahoma, IN
charge of the bill, will rush thru only
the most vital features OF the 1000
legislation and those features upon
which the least objection will be
Vital Features.
These include:
Granting general war powers 10 tne
stimulating. conserving and distributing
food during the war
Providing the authority and an appro-
nria+ion for a complete and detailed survey
of the whole food situation IN the Chlteo
States. ,.4.4 s.or;no
of large quantities of food during the war
Providing means of preventing con.
var ~ DESIGNED to prevent cooperation be-
tween American and Canadian distributors
for instance, working to corner neees-
Licensing distributors of all kinds.
Providing that the government may es-
tablish standards for Hour mlllins' e'e'
if found necessary.
Put Thru Immediately.
There are other powers asked by
the president which will be passed on
later. 1t is the urgent desire of the
administration. however, that TINS
much legislation be put thru imme-
diatelv 50 that Hoover can begin work.
Of
and minimum prices on foodstufts
during the war will await solution by
the senate, pending action by the
house Bitter opposition has arisen in
both branches of congress to granting
this particular authority to the presi-
dent. and it was deemed inadvisable to
endanger the whole bill by including
it in the Immediate emergency pro
gram now before the senate.
Dry Measure Up?
The same situation arises about the
authority sought by the president to
prohibit the use of grains and FOOD
stuffs in the manufacture of intoxi-
cants. This will be pressed by the
administration later. but not now
unless the ''drys'' attempt to attach it
to the measure now pending.
I'VE will push our war prohibition
Hesitation whenever and wherever it
appears opportune," said Senator
Sheppard, leader of the. senate ''drys''
today. 81 can not say whether the
present bill will be the opportune time
or not as YET
While the senate worked on the food
bill the house continued its efforts to
iron out the $2,2Oo,000,000 tax bill
and Representative Kitchin, in charge
of the bill, hoped to have the measure
read before the senate by Wednesday.
Grand Jury at Chicago.
Chicago, May 21.-The federal
grand jury today held the center of
the stage in the great national food
drama, which was believed to be ap-
preaching its climax here.
What that climax will be is up to
the grand jury, government officials
| intimated.
| 1t is known that the grand jury
has been presented with certain evil
dence concerning transactions in prac-
tically every foodstuff marketed thru
the middle west.