Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-20
(By Morning Journal Special Leased Wire.)


can yield to discipline. and that we
can solve this food problem for our
own people and our allies In this
way. and that to have done so will
have been greater service than our
immediate objective, for we will
have demonstrated the rightnee8 OF
our faith and our ability to defend
ourselves without being Prussian-
ized."
The statement in full follows:
The Presidents Appeal.
ut is desirable In order to prevent
misunderstanding or alarms and to
assure cooperation in vital matter,
that the country should understand
exactly the scope and purpose of the
very great powers which l have
thought it necessary in the circum-
stances to ask congress to put in my
hands with regard to our food sup
plies. Those powers are very great In.
deed, but they are no greater than 1t
has proved necessary to lodge In the
other governments which are con-
ducting this momentous war, and
their object is stimulation and con-
servation, not arbitrary restraint or
injurious interference with the nor
NAL processes of production. They are
intended to benefit and assist the
farmer and all those who play ie-
gitimate part in the preparation, dis
tribution and marketing Of foodstuffs.
Sharp Line Drawn.
'1t is proposed to draw sharp
line of distinction between the normal
activities of the government repre-
sented in the department OF agricul-
ture in reference to food production,
conservation and marketing, on the
one hand, and the emergency actiyi-
ties nccessitated by the war in refer
eoce to the regulation Of food distri-
button and consumption on the other.
All measures intended directly to ex-
tend the normal activities OF the de-
partment of agriculture in reference
to the production. conservation, and
the marketing OF farm crops will be
administered, as In normal times.
through that department. and the
powers asked for over-distribution and
consumption. over-exports, imports.
commodities, storing. and the like.
which may require regulation during
the war, will be placed In the hands
OF a commissioner Of food administra-
ton appointed by the president and
directly responsible to him.
The Objects Sought.
The objects sought to be served by
the legislation asked for are: Full In
quiry into the existing available stocks
OF foodstuffs and into the costs and
practices of the various food produc-
Ing and distributing trades; the pre-
vention Of all unwarranted hoardins\
of every kind and Of the control OF
foodstuffs by persons who are not in
any legitimate sense producers, deal
ers or traders; the requisitioning when
necessary for the public use Of food
supplies and of the equipment neces-
sary for handling them properly: the
licensing of wholesome and legitimate
mixtures and milling percentages: and
the prohibition of the unnecessary or
wasteful use of foods. Authority IL
asked also to establish prices-but not
In order to limit the profits of the
farmers. but only to guarantee to
them when necessary minimum
price which will insure them a profit
where they are asked to attempt new
crops. and to secure the consumer
against extortion by breaking up corn
ers and attempts at speculation when
they occur by fixing temporarily
reasonable price at which middlemen
must SELL
Hoover to Take Charge.
Il have asked Mr. Herbert Hoover
to undertake this all-important task
of food administration He has ex-
pressed his willingness to do SO. on
condition that he is to receive no pay
ment for his service. and that the