The evening world., 1917-05-04
NEW BILL GIVES WILSON
ABSOLUTE POWERS OVER
FOOD, FUEL AND CLOTHING
Measure Would Permit Price
Fixing, Regulation of Sup
plies and Selling Factories.

WASHINGTON. May 4.-The Pres
ident. under the war clause OF tho
Constitution. ls given absolute power
o-sr food and other necessities In
sweeping bill. introduced by Chairman
Lever OF the House Agricultural Com
mittee. with Administration approval.
onleials OF the executive branches OF
'ho Government believe there ls moth
ing in the measure to disturb i.-ltl-
mate business activities.
Supplemental TO tho Admin 'stration
food measure introduced in tho House
earlier In tho week. providing for
gurvey OF food resources and for pro-
venting food speculation. the new bill
empowers tho President. during tho
war. TO flX maximum and minimum
prices for food, clothing. fuel and
other necessities, and OF tie things
necessary for their production; to
make regulations governing the pro-
ductlon Of these commodities. and TO
reduisltlon tho producing factories,
mines or other establishments lf
necessary; to insure equitable dis
tribution by compelling the holders
10 release Necessities in proper
amounts; 10 eliminate market manip-
ulatlon by regulating exchange; to
compel railroads to give preference to
the movement OF necessities: to pre-
won't excessive dumping OF foreign
ties IL he finds Il imperative. to pre-
vent or limit the use of grain In the
manufacture Of liquor.
! Ia c> ressing the belief that there
is nothing la the measure to disturb
business, Chairman Lever to-day ex-
plalned II is because 1T Is hoped that
the mere comforting OF tho more cx-
/ treme new powers will bo sufficient
/ without It's becoming necessary W
exercise them"
Government officials, hold the same
view. believing that with such efrec-
tive weapons In their possession they
will encounter no difficulty In lining
up on the aide Of the public lnteres;
without legal action all rocalcitran,
private agencies.
"The new bill" said Mr.. Lever In
his statement, IDEALS with all the
neeessariss OF life, including foods
feeds, shoes, clothing, fuel and articles
required for their production. Thu
MEASURE 10 intended only to meet the
present emergency. II Is limited 70
the period Of the war and a suf.
ficient time thereafter for readjust-
mont. II is based on tho war clauses
OF the Constitution and ls applicable
throughout the country irrespective
OF State lines.
"The suggested legislation recog'
nlzes that the war will disturb tht
normal courses Of trade. Accordingly
il provides machinery. first for Stim'
uIatina production and regulating
distribution 90 as TO assure a fail
profit 10 those entitled TO II; secondly
for preventing the exploitation o.
neoessaries OF life by those who ain
10 take advantage Of the war emer
ueney 20 amass unearnod fortunes
With these objects In view tho bill
vests wide authority In the Govern
ment TO control the situation.
"rhere Is nothing In the measure
10 disturb legitimate business RctiV
tiles. II II hereafter appears essentia
10 exercise the new powers, provision
is made for prescribing the Imitation
OF tho conduct OF these aotlvitie
with such certainty that those at
Cocted should experience little din
Guilty In meeting the requirements
On the other hand. heavy penaltIe
are provided for those unwilling I
,fall In line"