Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-20

pound: potatoes. $40 "a bushel: bacon,
As cents pound. and -four. $500
barrel.
! The American prices on tho same day
were: beef ~ cents u pound: butter.
i2h2 cents u pound: potatoes. 1915
bushel: bacon. i5 cents Il pound, and
flour. sl7.SO IL barrel
| Disciaiming entirely that tho bill
sets up II food Dictatorship. Mr.. Hoover,
told Senators it's purposes were en-
tirelv to organize the resources Of the
country and tho people themselves
into food administration. to limit
middlemen's commissions and prevent
cxtortion.
FLOUR SHOULD NOT BE
MORE THAN so A BARREL
with righteous manufacturers and
| distributors prices he said. the
prices Of hour should not have been
over 50 barrel Yet it averages 3l4.
| In the last five months s25o.o00.000 has
been extracted from tho American con-
sumner in excess Of normal profits OF
manufacturers and distributors"
Not a single national trade associa-
ton. Hoover told the Senators. Is op-
posed TO the food control bill. The
prospective food administrators went to
! bill Informally to Senator'S in the hope
that "a fun understanding of its OBJ
| jccts and purposes may alliy some Of
the opposition.
/ Chairman Core. Of the Agriculture
Committee, and Senator Reed. OF Mis-
souri,. leading the opposition TO the
bill. took leading part in questioning
| Mr.. Hoover.
The resort 10 ,hess extraordinary
! powers is only because Of the WARP"
asked Senator Core.
/ ITO provide not only more food for
/ the allies. but for ourselves" Mr..
Hoover replied. Even II We had not
/ gotten into tho war we would have
been up against this tremendous de-
rnand from Europe. and probably driven
to some legislation to protect our own
| people"
Mr.. Hoover expressly disclaimed au-
thorship. personal interest. or rcspon-
s,bility for the bil's provisions ex.
tending TO fuels.
I'm concerned only with the pro-
visions relating to food" he insisted.
Tho provisions for communicating
| factories. mines and other plants. he
added. would not be necessary in ad
ministcring food questions
Senator Reed asked who was re-
/ SrOnSlDle inc clauses relating TO
| fuel. and Senator Sheppard. OF Texas.
suggested that President Wilson de-
! aired that authority.
PRESIDENT SURPRISED AT
! SOME THINGS IN BILL
/ 1T is not fair TO the President to
say that Senator Gore interjcctcd.
II may say that had several talks
with him on the bill. and ne expressed
-
that are in it,"
! Senator Reed referred TO a section
which nc contended would permit the
government TO take fror, cribs and
/ bins grain stored there in excess OF
| the amount actually needed by the
( farmer. and asked Mr.. Hoover's opinion
regarding the enforcement
/ Mr.. Hoover added he did not in
tend To enforce the section authorizing
/ the government to take charge Of
patents and formulas.
He also said the food administration
had no desire OF regulating consump-
ton OF food as is being done abroad.
saying that would be left TO the voiun-
/ tary will OF the people.
Senator Gore asked Mr. Hoover IL
/ he would deny TO the farmer the right
/ TO judge the amount OF crops he should
/ grow.
( II the government guarantees a
minimum price" Mr.. Hoover replied.
We might not set the beneficial re-
I suit for the farmer unless we also
have the power TO limit exports"
| Mr.. Hoover said possibly" the bill
should be amended TO give farmers the
right TO determine their own produc-
! ton.
/ We don't propose to go to the ex-
/ tent OF fixing consumers rations." Mr..
! Hoover added. except as TO hotels
restaurants. etc, regarding the amount
OF bread portions TO be served and
the like. England did foolish thing
| in trying to fix maximum prices. a
| failure wherever tried"
do you contend that, under the bill
you say to Senator Reed. for in
stance. that he shall eat soup bone
or a steak on certain days.? asked
Senator Kenyon.
HAVE NO SUCH RIGHT
AND SHOULD NOT HAVE 1T
Il don't think We have any such right
nor should We have it," Mr.. Hoover re-
piled. emphatically. But we should
have the right to suggest the use OF A
soupbone day and see il we can reach
any agreement Voluntarily"
Mr.. Hoover outlined broadly the
question OF prospective food supplies.
The real question" he said in a
prepared statement. lis whether the
shortage will continue next year and
what will he the needs of the allies
and America. Despite the reduced con-
sumption OF the allies. they Will re-
auire a larger amount Of cereals next
year than ever before. The allies are
more isolated in food sources.
The allies arc dependent upon North
America for the vast majority Of their
food imports. We should be able TO
supply 60 per cent OF what they require.
The other 40 per cent must be made up
III ~