The Washington herald., 1917-06-26
Leading American Editors Decry the Turning of
the War Food Bill Into National
Bone-Dry Measure
FOOD-AND DRINK CONTROL
(From the Philadelphia Ledger.)

FOOD-AND DRINK CONTROL
Even the ardent of advocates of prohibition of the liquor
will not provided they have not wholly host all of proper
ton this world crisis become unduy extan the "dy
amendment which the House added the food control bill before its
final Saturday. And the general feeling of dissatisfaction
throughout the country at what its surface at least sign OF
nore and less talk ho part of Congress will be somewhat tenn
pered by the suspicion that the House has idea that the food
control bill will the statute books its present form than be-
ieved in the fnay of its bill when passed it.
The vital problem confronting the country today the
ton Of oodhe increase of production and the prevention of waste
the grave may averted Of
the amount of food material that goes into the making of dis
titled and feented beverages considerable factor in the problem
That will be admitted without debate But will also be admitted
by fanatics that opinion the nation sharply divided upon the
subject total prohibition and than doubtful expedency
the issue moment when great national emergency calls
for unity every of human endavo industrial commercial
and military Moreover the vote in the House of Representatives is
unfortunately accurate index of the convictions of the
bers who voted by such unexpected majore for drastic prohbtoy
clauses amendments the Administrations food control bill Too
many them voted they did with eye political effect know
ing any hoping that the Senate would to the relief of
situation which they realize in their hearts to be impossible
There such thing making haste too rapidly perfectly
that daily the acreage of the great American desert increasing
Industry has read the act to Thousands and has announced that
refuses allegiance divided with John Barleyor The economist
innings with the proof of the large and sheer due to
ooz Right and left reads of banque and other ceremonies
days would have meant fusade of popping cok
peaceful noes Fourth and denaued to complete obriety
center after another the description
of without the bar sinister The returns from the military
camps 20 that the army the making forswears the false
courage born of fermentation not record that America by
and large the loser by the dwindng consumption of strong drink
Much of this progress natural development the effect of edu
cation the voluntary acceptance of the better way
doubtful whether the progress greater where abstenon made
compulsory drastic laws that fail to command the respect large
proportion of the population than where obey results from ap
peal the of the people At all events the introduc-
farreachng and radical prohibition into food control
unw because bound dsensons ar-
ony essential and because would be certain divert aen
the nation from need that of far greater urgency namely
the increase food for the millions home and abroad are look
ing this country make the deficiencies food by the
ravages of war.
idle phrase of Mr. Hoovers when declared that un
less act instantly y this time next year the food problem will be
absolutely unsove and the world will face absolute starvation"
For this fundamental the nation has looked with increasing
anxiety and mpaence upon the datoy actions Congress- and
that feeling will not be assuaged by the knowledge that the
amendments the food control bill playing an nncere
game with problem of life and DEATH