New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-27

Washington, June "a vigorous
plea for the prompt passage OF the
food control bill, despite minor impor-
fections, despite possible constitutional
objections and despite fear that the
President might appoint men who
would not use the power intelligently
was made in the Senate to-day by Sen
ator PhilanGer c. Knox, Of Pennsyl-
vaua.
"The bill under immediate cons ldera-
ton is one forced upon d by the eX-
igencics OF the war" said M. knoN.
"a is akin in principle 70 several
measures already enacted. and viii
without doubt be followed b. other
projects Of law Of similar portent
growing out Of cur relation to the war;
our relation to our allies. our relation
10 those nations who have thus Ear
held aloof from the war, and defining
policies we must pursue in the various
situations created by war and condi-
lions tina. must inevitably follow the
war.
"One principle clearly emerges from
the somewhat complicated and con
fused provisions Of this programme Of
legislation, and that is that the powers
proposed % be conferred upon The
President are intended TO be adequate
for and proportional 20 the end 30 be
accomplished.
Perfect Bill Not Expected
at is indeed impossible to foresee
the extent and variety of the means
necessary to be employed to avert ma
tonal disaster. However wise and
prudent we may be, our measures will
be superfuous in some respects, and
wanting in others. For myself. en-
PERTAINING no doubt as to the necessity
Of such legislation, ! shall not demand
that it fully satisfy a hypercritical ex-
animation of its details. | believe that
in such an adventure as that upon
which we are now embarked the execu-
tors Of the law will mollify its en-
forcement TO avoid unnecessary hard
ships and by liberal construction OF its
spirit see that it accomplishes the
purposes of it's creation.
Among the war powers already in
voked, the first in Importance and po-
-, "a hn M "a
provisions of the espionage bill.
Through this act the American people
are TO be protected against the dissi-
patton of their food and other OF the
sinews of war. This power OF embargo
wisely and boldly exercised should also
serve 20 hasten the day when many
more peoples. still neutral through
fear or indifference and not through
conviction, shall join the powers ar
rayed for freedom and civilization in
a death struggle with ruthless mill
tarism and the lust for world dominion.
"The Presidents new power TO con
troll exports will at last end the alb
surdity of our supplying the necessities
of life TO countries which find u pos
sible to export TO Germany similar or
corresponding necessities. Actually
and potentially America and her allies
are and will be able, through tariff ar
rangements and in many other ways. 20
show that they remember their friends.
and that they remember also who II
was who gave comfort to their enc
mics. or who sat by mute and cold
when liberty and civilization were at
stake.
Germany "WiIl BE Beaten
"The fear Of merited moral ostra-
cism and the fear of an economic boy
colt are factors in awakening Germany
from the villanous hypnosis Of Prus-
sianism. Germany will be beaten. The
German people will be taught that they
must discard the low ideals Of Prus-
STA If they are to fit into a civilized
world. They will, no doubt, fight blind
~ on until they see that 20 continue
will only prepare them a worse fu-
ture. And still there are nations. prid-
ing themselves upon their civilization
who do not even raise their voices as
moral factors and so hasten the victory
Of right. Those who are not with US aIc
against US.
II am quite sensible Of the fact that
much the same might have been said
of the United States. During the more
than two and one-half years of neu-
trality on the part of the government