New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-28
Whv the Food Bill Viii Pass

why tIiC AOou LII ~
The food control bill, broadcned to in
clude control of other necessaries OF Ire,
will probably pass the Senate before the
end of the week. Forces are behind 1t TO
which Congress must yield 1t represents
q conscious effort on the part of the coun-
try to adjust itself to war conditions-to
eradicate gross abuses in production and
distribution which have been foolishly en-
dured in peace but are impossible to en-
dure in time of war.
No spectacle is more odious in time OF
national trial and danger than that OF
private greed fattening on the nations
needs and sacrifices. Governments have
heretofore been too tolerant of what we
now look askance at as war "profiteerlng
Manv mushroom fortunes were created IN
the North during the Civil War because
the government did not seek to control the
operation of war industries. To-day all
nations are reaching the sounder conclu-
sion that no private interest should be al
lowed to profit abnormally from war-that
the state owes it to the great mass of clti-
zens. who must fight the war and pay for
it, to protect them against exploitation by
food speculators and distributors or by
the PRODUCERS of fuel, STEEL munitions and
other essential war supplies.
Control of the production and distribu-
tion Of these things is a military necessity.
II is also only a fair acknowledgment by
the government of its duty to the men who
On into the trenches and the families they
leave behind. While they are fighting and
diving their wives and children must be
secured against extortion at home. Sena-
tor Thomas, of Colorado, speaking on the
food bill last Tuesday, made an argument
which no opponent of food or fuel control
can answer. He said
would rather be a professed disloyalist
than a food Spectator. How car man
with a family on $1,000 year be expected
IN love q country that permits him to be
robbed by extortionate prices? How can ne
rise when the "Star-Spangled Banner" is
played and be enthusiastic? This robbery
is going on all over the country. 1t dries
up the springs Of patriotism, and unless we
arouse a national spirit of devotion to the
country all our ships, our men and our food
will be sacrificed in vain.
On Tuesday the Administration brought
the coal producers to terms. They had
sky-rocketed fuel prices without the slight
est economic warrant. They could not
grasp the idea that war era is not an
era for easy pickings. But when the dis
LOYALTY and odiousness of their action were
brought home to them they quickly
yielded. They have already promised to
do what the food control bill will authorize
the government to require them 70 do.
So. we are sure it will be with the other
exploiters, caught red-handed. They kno"
that the period of license for them Is ovel
that they cannot afford to face thu
wrath Of people no longer afraid t.
remedy economic wrongs.
There is no mistaking the temper of TIT
country. The so-called prohibition" pro
visions Of the food bill, as it passed the
House of Representatives, would have
h raised a passionate, almost an hysterical
protest six months ago. Now they hardly
I cause ripple. The suspension of the dis
tilling of alcoholic liquors for the period
of the war is only small side issue in the
big problem of national control of the
necessaries of life. Such a suspension
coupled with the seizure of all whiskey
now in bond, and even the proposed stop
page of the production of malt liquors and
wines, would excite little CONSERVATION
anywhere were it not for the prospective
loss of the huge Federal revenue derived
from their manufacture and the huge state
revenue derived from their sale
II suspension will help the government
in conserving the food supply or otherwise
the people are for it. They are entirely
willing to leave decision on this point to
the President. They have ceased TO judge
such questions by peace time standards of
policy. Since we are at war, we must do
the things which military exigencies re-
quire. We must give the government all
the food regulation power it needs-even
more power than it may find it advisable
10 use. The people see this and Congress
is hearing from the people. That is why
drastic food control bill is certain to
pass.