The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-08-16
F ood Bill Provisions
Now in Force

tofore appeared, and in compliance
with this demand herewith publishes
the Cllowing rather extended synop-
TIL, u ,od control bill establishes,
during u war, broad government I
control u. foods, feeds, fuel, oils,
natural 60 n. .'rtilizer and its ingredi- |
ents, tools, y sils and equipment re-
Quired for tn, y ual production of all |
such products, p tgnated "necessar- !
les"
In establishing ,crnment control, |
the bill authorizes y. president to
enter into any voluntary arrange
ments, create or use any agency or ag-
encies, to accept services of any per-
son without compensation, to coop
crate with any agency or person, to
utilize any department or agency of
the government, and to coordinate
their activities.
In pursuance of such authorization,
President Wilson plans to appoint
Herbert G. Hoover food administrator.
Control of other necessaries named
may be accomplished through other
agencies. The house provision, for an
individual food administrator was en-
acted only after the president had pre-
vailed upon the senate and house con-
ferees to eliminate a senate amend
ment, inserted by two overwhelming
votes of 63 to 19 and go to %, pro-
posing board of food of three, sub
| ject to senate confirmation.
Comprehensive powers are given in
the bill, passed as a war measure, 70
assure adequate supply and equitable
distribution of the named necessaries,
to facilitate their movement, to pre-
vent, locally and generally, scarcity,
monopoly, boarding, injurious specu-
lation, manipulation or private con-
troll affecting supply, distribution and
movement
Other provisions of the bill fix
minimum price for wheat beginning
next year at not less than so per
standard bushel; provide for coal and
coke price fixing communicating and
government operation of factories and
mines producing necessaries; for gov
ernment purchase, sale and requisi-
tion of various necessaries, and for
federal licensing of agencies produc-
ing and handling them.
The bill appropriates for a fund of
$150,O00 900, to be used in it's admins
tration and $10,000,OO0 for federal pur-
chase and sale at cost of fertilizer
The prohibition provision, a COM
promise for "bone dry" prohibition
proposed by the house, prohibit manu-
facture and importation of distilled
liquors for beverages during the war,
authorize the president to suspend
manufacture of malt, fermented and
vinous liquors or to limit their alco-
holic content and "authorizes and di-
rects" the president, in his discretion,
to commander distilled beverages in
bond or stock when necessary for re-
distillation into alcohol for military or
other public defense purposes or to
conserve fOodstuffs.
Congressional leaders understand
the president does not intend to COM
mandeer distilled spirits or to curtail
their consumption unless military ex-
igencies require. The so-called Smoot
amendment, directing federal purchase
of distilled beverages in bond at cost,
plus 10 per cent profit, was eliminat-
ed.
In lieu of house provisions author
izing the food administration to fix
minimum prices for all necessaries,
the law provides that the food admin
istration shall fix a minimum price for
wheat alone. Until May 1, 1919, the
bill provides that the basic price shall
not be less than 50 per bushel, based
upon No 1 spring northern at all pri-
mary markets.
| Sweeping powers to control coal
prices are also provided The bill
authorizes the president, through the
federal trade commission or other
agency, to fix coal and coke prices,
at the mines and among wholesalers
and retailers, to regulate methods of
sale, shipment and distribution among
dealers and consumers, and the requi-
sition and operate mines or other coal
ing facilities.
A system of federal licensing of all
agencies related to the production
, transportation and distribution of the
designated necessaries also is provid-
ed, and rigid provisions against hoard
2 ing, speculation and monopolization
established, under heavy penalties
Farmers are exempted from the hoard
3 ing provisions.
, The bill also authorizes the presi-
e dent to requisition, for military OF
public defense needs, all necessaries
named, and to guarantee reasonable
prices to producers and consumers
+ to buy and sell fuel, wheat, flour, mea
beans and potatoes. The bill also au
thorizes the president to requisitior
, and operate any factory, packing
O house, mine or oil pipe line, at jus
i compensation, for military or public
o defense uses.
e Regulation of grain and other food
: stuff markets, to prevent injurious
o speculation or undue enhancement o
r price, is another power conferred up
on the food administration through
n the president.
d Another clause, inserted by the sen
: ate after much criticism of alleged
!. sale by members OF the advisory com
:, missioners of their own products t
r the government, prohibits fedora
:, agents from soliciting or inducins
: contracts with the government II