The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-24
REGULATING CROPS BY LAW
By HOLLAND

may be convenient and reasonable sup
 plies to the consumers.
 All of these factors are recognized by Governor Whitman and will be referred
 to in the recommendations which he will ! make to the legislature. But if there be abundant production, competent or gsnizaton, adequate transportation, ana convenient and reasonable distribution, | there is necessarily involved the con- ! trol of these factors by some competent | man or by a. commission, small in num- Der, whose membership Is made up of
 men who have ability to deal with an embarrassing and possible dangerous sit uation. s
 The necessity for some central power
 of this kind is recognized by Governor Whitman who is likely to recommend to the legislature that it authorize the es- Establishment of a commission, of probably not more than three men. A commission of this kind would be a public service commission of the highest value. More over, no partisan or political considera- tions would be involved in the creating of such a commission, for the members
 would accept appointment with no other idea of recompense than that which they
 will receive in full measure if they are able to solve this problem and will have no patronage to bestow. Presumably
 that would entail the appointment of three men who are in possession of suf- ficient private incomes to make it un-
 necessary for them to consider any
 money recompense.
 MT. Perkins has now for two OF three
 years been occupied with service of this
 kind or kindred service that has en-
 tailed a great deal of hard work com
 bined with much tact and much tolerance
 of ignorance, indifference or downright
 prejudice For this service he has re-
 ceived only the reward which comes from his sense Of public duty performed
 to the best of his ability. He has been embarrassed by the unwillingness of the
 legislature to heed his appeals and to some extent by what seemed to be the indifference of the city government to recommendations which he has made No one knows from any statement that he has made that by reason of these en- barrassments and this indifference he has been compelled to advance funds out of his private purse, often not knowing whether there would be one penny's re- turn to him for these advances. But it is a matter of reasonable inference that he has done this.
 If MT. Perkins needs the appeal which will be made to him by Governor Whit man in case the governors recommenda tions are embodied into law then he will accept appointment by the govern or as chairman of the commission. That at least is the view taken by those who have given much thought to the situa- ton. There are a thousand and one details of which this commission must be the master, as, for instance, it must have the power to seize and distribute foodstuffs. Of course, it will make pay ments in manner to be determined by the commission to those from whom these commodities are taken. A power of that kind is necessary if speculat ation iE food products is to be prevented Furthermore, the commission may have power to compel the railroads of New York state to give preference to the tra importation of necessaries. It is to have other powers, possibly not justified excepting in a time of grave public emergency. Governor Whitman believe. that legislation of this kind and the almost autocratic power possessed by a commission would prevent extortior., and he has frankly said that if the plan works we'll in New York it is likely to be adopted by other states, thereby be- ing of benefit to the entire country.