The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-06-21
CONGRESS IN
LONG DEBATE
-
ON. |. FOOD ] BILL Bill
Senator Kenyon Predicts If Con-
ditions Continue Bread
r. Riots Will Follow
GORE IS MOST BITTER
OPPONENT OF MEASURE
Friends Of Lever Act Predict Its
Passage by July / at
Least

Passage by July / at
Least
Washington, June 2l.-Administra-
tion leaders in congress said today
public sentiment was beginning to
make itself felt among opponents of
the food control bill, and predicted en-
actment of the measure within two
or three weeks.
Debate continued in both branches
with the house again sitting until late
at night to close the general debate
with view to proceeding under the
fiveminute speech rule tomorrow, and
taking a final vote by Saturday. The
amending stage probably will be
reached in the senate next week after
the measure, as it passes the house,
is substituted for the senate draft.
May Pass by July I.
Despite continued opposition and
the certainty of some amendments, tul-
timate enactment of the legislation in
some form, is conceded. &c." Senator
Chamberlin said last night 1t was pos
sible that the bill would be finally en-
acted by July d, as desired by the
president, but few shared his Optim-
ism, the general opinion expressed be-
ing for two more weeks at least Of
senate debate. "t'r
Senator Kenyon, republican, Oc-
cupied most of the day in the SEN
ate in support of the bill. He en-
phasized the necessity for broad
government control of foodstuffs
as war measure, defended the
bills constitutionality and flayed
spectators, whom he character
lied as ''allies Of the KAISER
'1F THIS THING IS GOING ON
THE CORNERING OF FOOD AND
FUEL" HE SAID, 'sWE ARE GOING
TO HAVE HUNGER AND BREAD
RIOTS IN THIS COUNTRY, OR
SOMETHING WORSE" ..sys1..
- Three Oppose aill.
Senators Gore, Reed and Vardaman,
democrats, continued as the principal
critics of the bill They were Joined
by Senator Borah, republican, z who
questionedtth the measure 3: constitution.
Atty and said It was full OF glittering
generalties,''' which would '"bewilder
the business world and >paralyze in.
itiative+of the country He advocat-
ed, however, regulation OF speculation
and governmental purchasing of food
suppliesE'% 'a' ,,'S.' 7'.'>
Senator Gore insisted that the !
bill would force farmers prices
down, cause famine next year from
under production, and loss this
year of $750,000,000 to wheat and
corn producers.
In the house Representative Meeker
of Missouri, republican, assailed the
bill and questioned the ability of Mr.
Hoover, the food administrator, while
Representative Lenroot of Wisconsin,
republican, opposed the broad powers
the measure would confer upon the
executive.
Among many amendments proposed
was one. by Mr.. Lenroot, limiting its
operation to the. war period instead of
one year after the war. :, Representa-
tive Lever agreed to such an amend
ment. Senator Kenyon. proposed SEN
ate amendments which would remove
all responsibility Of seizure of food in
the hands of agricultural producers or
the institution of rationing or the linn
itation of individual meals
Kahn Defends Hoover.
Senate opponents of the bill are con-
ferring informally toward agreement
upon amendments which they contend
are necessary to prevent interference
with legitimate business.
Criticisms of Mr.. Hoover drew a
speech in his defense from Represen-
tative Kahn of California, republican,
who paid tribute to his work in
Belgium.
During the senate debate Senator
Kenyon said that. under the bill, he
believed the president could take over
factories, such as packing houses. Sen
ator Brandegee suggested that to
make such communicating efficient
communicating of workmen in such
factories also should be provided for.
~ we can conscript mems
lives" replied Senator Kenyon,
"sureIy we can conscript men to
feed those men,"
Proposes Wheat Requisition.
Senator King suggested that since
there will not be enough wheat to fill
requirements of the allies and de-
mands of home consumption except
through rigid economy, the United
States government could requisition
all the wheat, apportion part to. the
allies, and sell the rest to the people
of this country at cost.
1EDDy'S SONS TO
GO WITH P[RSH|NG