The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-15
WILSON MEN IN
REVOLT AGAINST
A DICTATORSHIP
Senator Reed DenOunccs
Food Control as Worse
Than Kaiserism.
DESPOTIC IN POWER
Bill Would Enable Presi-
dent to Appoint His
Own Agents.
CALLS WAR A PRETEXT
"Necessaries Of Life" Extend
ed to Mean Everything
Produced in Nation.
DESPOTIC IN POWER
CALLS WAR A PRETEXT

IOuuNCu Ill NutIOHs
WARRINGTON. June 1.-THE first det-
onation Of the heavy artillery OF oppo-
sition likely to be heard in Congress
against the tendency toward autocracy
as reflected in some OF the war meas
ures and particularly the food control
measure was heard to-day in the Senate.
1t was a member OF the Presidents own
party, Senator Reed OF Missouri. who
made the attack He described the
scheme Of food regulation lodging
greater powers in the President than any
yet accorded TO him as "out-Kaisering
the Kaiser and out-Cesaring Caesar"
Not potentate On earth. he declared.
either possessed or sought to possess
such autocratIc powers as the measure
would confer
Senator Reeds attack was not unex-
pected. 1t was significant in that IL
reflected In a large measure the views Of
a rapidly increasing group In the Senate
who are about to attempt TO call a halt
on what they feel Is a steady trend
toward the surrender of the prerogstives
Of the legislative branch to the Execu-
tive. In the case OF the food BILL they
believe, it would mean domination by
the Executive OF the whole internal life
OF the nation.
| Attacks HOOver's Plan.
Il would not impugn either the hon.
esty or the integrity Of Herbert Z.
Hoover" announced Senator Reed. but
do say that his suggestions for the
practical d!ctation by the Federal Gov
ernment OF the entire food consumption
OF the nation, how, when and where 1t
shall be husbanded, how It shall he die
tributed and in what quantities 1t shall
be doled out for consumption is as lack
ing in humanitarianism as II is in need
funess
i would like the Senate to consider
continued Mr. Reed. the powers this
bill contemplates in the Governmental
control Of necessities. The bin rectes
that its power shall extend TO and in
clude all processes. methocs activities
of and the promotion. manufacture. pro-
curement. storage, distribution. sale.
marketing. pledging. financing and
now note this language-'consumptio
or necessities. II provides that all such
necessaries. processes. methods and ac-
tivities are hereby declared to be af-
, fected with the public interest. Yes. In
order 10 aHorc some shadow OF pTetence
or the exercise or constitutional power,
. the Dill iaiseIy cecIared ,hat all OF these
thihgs are aHecteu with public IN
terest
| The Public Interest.
"And vet the most casual reading Of
the language will show that the things
to be affected are not affected with the
public interest within the legal meaning
Oh tnat term az all ana nave no other
re'a'ioh 10 the pubic interest save that
, the hie ana happiness OF every man.
woman ana chiid IN the repuphc ana
: ever! uoHar worth OF property aHect
, the pubic interest. 1T is an impudently
iatse ana irauouieht recital
me piIl PROVIDES tnat 10 carry out
.heso powers the fresiceht is authorized
" enter INTO any voluntary agreement
or arrangement 10 use any agency ana
, 10 accept 'he services OF any person
without compensation 10 cooperate with
, any agent or person ana so forth In
WORD tnis somewhat obscure language
Is PLAINLY intended to authorize the
transfer OF these great ana despotic
powers 10 ihuIViuuhls whose names may
not even De submitted TO the Senate or
. 'ho pubic at iarse'
cnoer secuoh II Is proposed 10
punish ana make illegal the acts OF any
person VINO allows any necessities under
ms cohtroI 10 deteriorate II ne can pre-
vent II, ana that power is extended 70
D the articie when produced and TO the
production OF the article Under that
sectioh every man Is made Violator or
'he Ia" VINO may nave any srt''le what-
U soever tnat euners oeteriorauoh OF
waste II ne can prevent IL.
ROVER" 7" 'res'"eh''
"In section 3 this remarkable power
is extended to the President so that the
n various agencies. Mr.. Hoover and others.
= may license the importation and expor-
q tation. the manufacture storage or dis
q tribution OF any necessaries SO there
;. is given to the gentleman the power to