Connecticut western news., 1917-05-24


 Food Loan to Mexico to Enable Sis
 ter Republic to Grow Huge Crops of
 Grain Beans and Other Staples to
 Supply United States and Allies.
 Power to requisition food supplies, fix prices to eliminate speculation and boarding, prohibit the use of grains for the manufacture of alcohol and other drastic measures are strengthened in revised food bill introduced in the house by Chairman Lever of the com mittee of agriculture. These powers vested in the president are to be con- ferred by him upon Herbert c. Hoover, food administrator. MT. Hoover has given his approval to the bill after careful reading, saying: MT Levers food administration bill as now reported out of committee cov- CTS very ably and intelligently the pow CTS necessary for the president to pos sess in order to set up competent food administration.
 "These powers, combined with the
 
 legislation, should make it possible to eliminate hoarding, speculation and waste In distribution.
 "They are more moderate than those | possessed by the various European food ministries, but with the good will and | cooperation of the distributing trades l should make success possible without in any manner being burdensome upon legitimate trade"
 | Food Loan to Mexico. | While Dr. Hoover was considering the Lever bill, which previously had had the approval of Secretary of Agri- 1 culture Houston, the senate began the revision of the Gore food bill. This bill | Is a combination of the two measures | which had the approval of the admin | istration.
 Mexico is to be asked to help solve l the worlds food problem. The admin ! istration is considering making a $50,- O00,000 agricultural loan to the sister republic It is proposed that this money shall be used exclusively to plant and SOW unusually productive thousands of acres in the Chihuahua district, where the climatic conditions are such that varied crops may be raised all the year round. +|
 The administration is not in posi- tion now to give the details of this plan to increase the food supply. It is | known, however, that 1t has strong SUD- port because of the entente allies press ing necessity for larger food supplies
 The project calls for the cultivation of lands which are rich and we'll water ed. While the planting season is prac- tically over in most sections of the United States, the Mexican districts under consideration can be planted with crops most needed at practically l all seasons.
 Another consideration is that labor In Mexico will be available, whereas in this country one of the greatest problems is going to be, to get the crops harvested Mexico, in sore straits because of continuous revolution, can furnish thousands of laborers at d wage much below that which must be paid in this country.
 Ford Aids Movement.
 The intention is to negotiate direct with the Mexican government. Star vation conditions exist in many sec tions of the Mexican republic, and the funds to finance a great agricultural revival are needed badly. If the $50,- 100000 loan Is made 1t will be with the understanding that the needs of the Mexicans will be taken care of, a cer- tain surplus to be turned over to the United States government and through America eventually to the allies of this country.
 Henry Ford is one of the supporters of the movement. It is understood that his representatives have confer red with government officials because of the pressing need of farm tractors in all parts or the world There have been insistent calls from Russia, north ern France and Belgium for tractors because of the dearth of horses. In France and Belgium particularly all the horses which could be worth while for farm work have been comman- deered for military purposes.
 It was with view of ascertaining 2 just where the tractors would be of the most good that MT. Ford's repre- sentatives came to Washington. When the Mexican plan was proposed MT Ford fell in with 1t at once and said he\would make every effort to provide all the tractors needed for blowing hauling and harvesting.
 Another consideration with the ad- ministration is that loan to Mexico would be profitable both to that coun. try and to the United States. Mexico needs ready cash, and the United States needs grain. Wheat and barley would be the best crops for the dis