Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-14
Pirates and Robbers Terms
Applied to Gamblers
In Grub.
KENYON HINTS AT
LAMPPOST HANGINGS
Says Unless Gambling in Futures Is
Stopped People Will Take Measures
in Their Own Hands-Dangers Seen
in Adjustment of Present Syster2
Senator Reed Thinks Nation Need.
lessIy Alarmed Over Food Shortage.

Washington. May 1.-THE ""-
strained wrath of the senate was pour-
ed down on food gamblers and specu-
lators today in one Of the most re-
markable scenes in the chamber.
Pirates" and robbers" We're terms
applied by senators to food spectators
during senate debate today on propos-
ais to abolish future trading in food.
Lamp post fargings as a remedy were
referred to.
Food spectators were denounced as
robbers" by Senator Kenyon, Of iowa,
who recommended, however that the
food speculation measures be held over
to be considered with the food bill.
Eve should blot out this speculation
in food" he said, "but we should do it
with adequate consideration.
''If congress can't stop this robbery
land that Is mild term for 1.-THE
people will find some way il they have
10 make use of the lamp post
Thomas Starts Storm.
The storm broke when Senator
Thomas, democrat. of Colorado. pro-
posed as an amendment to the admin
suspend for the duration of the war all
boards of trade, stock exchanges or
chambers Of commerce which pernh:
speculation IA futures in food.
Senators who opposed it did SO on
the ground that the object should be
accomplished in another way and some
thought it would stifle commerce. The
great majority favored some drastic
action to stop food gambling and spec
ulation.
Points to Dangers in Plan.
Senator Lewis said he thought legis-
lation such as proposed by Senator
Thomas would work injury to many
and should not be passed without de-
liberation.
IF this is adopted" he said. you
will force the grain in the bins into
the hands Of those who fear that there
will be day of desolation and dark
ness. I believe in economy but not in
parsimony. If the people understand
the truth they would not be holding
grain out in fear, timidity and terror.
What is needed at this hour is a pro-
vision of law authorizing the president
on evidence that food is being unneces-
sarily held, to seize such food and or
der it's distribution with compensation
to the owner
Needlessly Scared.
II think" said Senator Reed. that
means ought to be taken to stop specu-
lation in foodstuffs. But 1t is a Won
der to me that we do not have 81
wheat and 40 cent cotton and So and
Sc potatoes. There never has been III
the history of the world an agitation
that parallels the present one. We are
practically told that the world Is starv-
ing and then we are Informed that the
wolf Of hunger will be bowling at the
door Of every human being in the
world. when that information is put
forward men are astonished that the
price of foodstuff Is mounting.
"The thing to teach the American
people now is that America will not
be starved, that she can not be starved,
and the consequence will be to lessen
conditions which now poster u.s."
Still Seeking Censorship.
Senator Overman, in charge Of the
administration espionage bill, an
rounced today an effort would be made
10 restore the press censorship section
to the measure before passage.
The section was stricken from the
bill Saturday by vote Of 80 to 3S.
Senator Overman seid today Majority
Leader Martin, who voted then to
strike out, would vote to restore cen-
sorship provision. He did not know
whether there would be other senator's
in the same position.
One other democrat who voted TO
strike out the section was said today
to be ready to follow the majority
leader. but republicans declared that
two who had voted against striking
out were now prepared to vote against
censorship.