Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-20

regulation Of the American table is
proposed was denied by Mr.. Hoover.
Also he said that requisitioning of fac
tories or regulation of wages was not
contemplated, and that excelsior of war
profits in distribution of food, largely
by voluntary cooperation of business
interests, involved, is the prime OBJ
ject of the bill.
Four basic measures of food con-
troll planned, Mr.. Hoover said, are ex-
port regulation. control of distribution
including speculation, mobiliza ton Of
Americas women and men in a cam
paign for economy and against waste.
and participation of the states in adj
ministration work.
Federal commissions TO control
wheat, sugar and a few other prime
commodities" by regulation of produc-
ton, storage. transportation and sale
also are contemplated, he said. but in
stead of injuring farmer, as some
have claimed, these things will bene-
fit both producers and consumers
without curtailment kof middlemen's
normal and fair profits
Asserting that the Allies food supply
} will be 40 per cent deficient even with
Americas food surplus assisting Mr.
Hoover said the deficiency must be made
up by sacrifice abroad and economy here.
saving of six cents day per capita in
this country, he declared, would save two
! billion dollars, while a % per cent. saving
| in -four would give 10000 900 bushels more
to the Allies
The Spectators Loot
In this connection he told the senators
that spectators in flour alone have taken
$5o0Oo,o00 a month from the American
public during the last five months.
Senators Gore, Reed and Vardaman
piled Mr.. Hoover with questions in such
fashion that he told them with some en-
phasis that he had not asked Congress to
do anything, although he believed the
proposed legislation vital to the conduct
Of the war. The opposing senators con-
tended that the bill would reach into in
finite avenues of American life, disturb
business, take property without compen-
sation and embark upon an enterprise of
varied dangers.
Opposition dropped perceptbly in the
House as the debate dragged along today,
anu tohi6il lNSpi I1dUsucil VI
Iowa, the only member of the agriculture
committee to file a minority report
against the bill. said there would not be
30 negative votes on final passage.
He said he would vote for it himself
although he would make an effort to
restore to the list Of necessaries shoes
and clothing as originally proposed by
the administration
Prices Compared
Representative Graham Of Illinois,
speaking in favor of the measure to-
day. aroused interest by substituting
comparative list Of American and Brit
ish prices on staples received by him
from Ambassador Spring Rice. on last
May 10 Some of the English prices
were lower than the American prices,
despite the fact, as Mr.. Graham said.
that England is surrounded by sub
marines"
The prices follow
English beef, A cents a pound; but
ter 40 to Sc cents a pound; potatoes
$40 a bushel; bacon As cents a pound
and -four $500 a barrel
The American prices on the same day
were:
Beef ~ cents a pound: butter ~ IL
cents a pound; potatoes 1915 bushel
bacon 45 cents q pound and -four $3.50
a barrel.
Nine. Dollar Flour
Disclaiming entirely that the bill
sets up food dictatorship. Mr. Hoov-
er told senators its purposes were en-
tirely to organize the resources of the
country and the people themselves
into food administration to limit
middlemen's commissions and prevent
eXtortion.
with righteous manufacturers and
distributors prices" he said, the
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