Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-06-24
TRICKS THAT ARE VAIN.

In their frantic efforts TO proven
the passage of the food control bills
which will afford protection to thu
great mass of consumers. certain
members of both houses of Congress
are giving vent to hysterical out
bursts which are intended to befoE
line issue and create false impress
lion in the minds of the people gener-
ally.
One of the most specious arguments
advanced by the opponents of the fooc
control bills is that the fixing OF max
Iimum prices on food products woulf
result in material injury to the pro-
Queer. By spreading this doctrine, the
adherents of the system whereby the
sreculator reaps the profits while the
producer and consumer get the small
end of the stick, these aforementioned
natriots at Washington hope to arouse
the antagonism of the farmers through
out the country.
The same old tale of the dear pee
pull" being wronged by the effect OF
| the proposed measures is being spread
abroad most zealously in the hope that
| the fallacy of the argument may not
be discovered, at least, not until the
bills have been given decent burial.
Since when have our statesmen a.
the national capital been so solicitous
of the rights of the producer? Since
when have they been actuated by such
intense desire to see that he gets every
penny for his product that can possibly
be realized from it? Tis a new pose
assumed to blind the eyes of the peo>
pie to the real cause of the opposition
that is developing against the meas
ures which will enable this nation to
maintain an economic balance in the
face of conditions which threaten dis
astrous complications.
The truth of the whole matter is
that the food control bills will affec;
none but the Spectator who profits at
the expense of the ultimate consumer.
With the control of food products IL
the hands of the federal government
the maximum fixed prices will mean an
adjustment of conditions so as to bring
about an equitable division of the reas
enable profits to be derived from the
marketing of these products, but in
this scheme of things the Spectator
finds himself practically eliminated. 1t
is the realization of this fact that is
causing the spectators to impress UP
on their mouthpieces in the halls OF
! Congress the necessity of fighting
tooth and nail against the passage Of
Legislation which would in any way
restrict their nefarious operations.
Discussing another phase of the sit
uation, the Albany Herald says:
Another truth which is being over
looked is that the American people
are able to confer no power on their
servants which they are not able also
20 take away. The source of all polit
ical power in this democracy, as ev-
cry school boy knows, is in the people
and if they see fit to confer exceptional.
) powers on public servants in times o.
national stress, they easily can take
away that power When the Crisis snail
have passed. 1t may be abused for 2
time, it is true, but that abuse can be
carried to a point where the people
Twill be aroused and take it back int,
their keeping. Whether or not it i:
susceptible of being abused is not ;
question for the present to decide TIL,
only question to be asked now is, 1T i
necessary for victory in this war; TIL
verdict of the best brains of the ma
ltion, borne out by the experience o
our Allies, is that it is necessary"
TIME To WAKE TTPI