The Washington herald., 1917-05-20
Means Death TO @CorBers.-

means Denth TO ~OornerG
The Presidents plans contemplate
death TO corners in foodstuffs and TO ex-
tortion by whoIeszIers or middlemen.
Price fixing to this end is part Of his
program.
In addition TO Mr.. Hoover. most OF his
aids will serve without pay in carrying
out the Presidents plans.
The official statement issued at the
White House follows:
1t is very desirable, in order TO
prevent MISUNDERSTANDING or alarms
and to assure cooperation in a vital
matter that the country should Un-
derstand exactly the scope and pur-
pose Of the very great powers which
1 have though II necessary in the cir
cumstances TO ask the Congress 20 put
in my hands in regard to our food
supplies Those powers are very great
indeed, but they are no greater than
il has proved necessary TO lodge in
the other governments which are con-
Quoting this momentoUs war and their
object is stimulation and conservation,
not arbitrary restraint or injurious in
reference with the normal processes
Of production. They are intended to
benefit and assist the farmer and all
those who play a legitimate part in
the preparation distribution. and mar
keting OF foOdstufIs.
To Draw sharp Lines.
II is proposed TO draw a sharp line
Of distinction between the normal ac-
tvitcs Of the government represent
ed in the Department Of Agriculture
in reference to food production. con-
servauon, and marketing on the one
hand ana the emergency activities
necessitated by the war in reference
10 the regulation Of food distribution
and consumption on the other. All
measures intended directly 10 extend
the normal activities Of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture in reference 10
the production. conservation. and the
marketing OF farm crops will be ad-
mlnistered. as IN normal times,
through that department. and the
powers asked Tor over distribution
and consumption. over exports. i'm
ports, process. purchase and reqUisi-
tion Of commodities. storing. and the
like which may require regulation dur
ing the war will be placed in the
hands Of a commission Of food admin
istration appointed by the President
and directly responsible to him
The objects sought 10 be served by
the legislation asked for are: full in
Quiry into the existing available stocks
OF foodstuffs and into the costs and
practices Of the various food-produc-
ing and distributing trades. the pre-
Vention Of all unwarrantCd boarding
Of every kind and OF the control OF
foodstuffs by persons who are not in
any legitimate sense producers. deal
ers. or traders the reouisitioninE
when necessary for the public use OF
food supplies and OF the equipment
necessary for handling them prop
erly; the licensing OF wholesome and
legitimate mixtures and milling par-
centaEes; and the prohibition OF the
unnecessary or wasteful use OF foods.
Authority is asked also 10 establish
prices-hUt not in order 10 limit the
profits Of the farmers. but only to
guarantee 20 them when necessary a
minimum price which will insure them
profit where they are asked TO at
tempt new crops and 10 secure the
consumer against eNtortion by break
ing up corners and attempts at specu-
lation when they occur by fixing tenn
porarily reasonable price at which
middlemen must sell
VIII Receive No SALARY.
I have asked Mr.. Herbert Hoover to
undertake this sll-important task Of
food administration. He has expressed
his willingness 10 do so on condition
that he is to receive no payment for
his service and that the whole Of the
force under him, exclusive OF clerical
assistants. shall be employed so far
as possible upon the same volunteer
basis. He has expressed his confidence
that this difficult matter Of food ad-
ministration can be successfully ac-
complished through the voluntary
cooperation and direction Of legitI-
mate distributors Of foOdstuTs and
with the help or the women OF the
country.
Although it is absolutely necessary
that unquestionahle powers shall be
placed in my hands in order 20 assure
the success Of this administration Of
the food supplies Of the country, I am