The Washington herald., 1917-07-24

- ~
right, 1917. by tho Wheeler Syndicat
late this production he has already
caused seeds in large amount to be
distributed to the farmers of the State
He 10 satisfied that with tactfuI han
ding, sufficient labor can be secured
| in order to plant and harvest the
crops. These views he undoubtedly
| communicated TO Gov. Whitman from
! time to time, for he has had many
| conferences with the governor, at
which the food problem was the chief
| If not the only topic of discussion.
Next following production or, very
| likely Coeval with that factor, is or
ganiZation. That is something, OF
| which Mr.. Perkins has already DEM
onstrated himself to be one Of the
master minds Of this generation. II
was by swiftly perfected organiza ton
that he was able to secure within a
| brief time the millions that were need
| ed thoroughly well to endow the
Young Mems Christian Association. In
the business world his capacity for
organization is recognized as without
superior. Therefore, it is presumed
that in case the recommendations
which Gov. Whitman will make to the
legislation are enacted into law, Mr..
Perkins will have already demon
strated that he has worked out a plan
whereby adequate organization may
stimulate the productive capacity Of
New York State.
The third factor in the equation is
that of adequate transportation which
also involves the fourth factor. which
is adequate distribution. Many have
complained that one OF the reasons
why scarcity of food is regarded as
a danger is to be found in the lack
of adequate transportation facilities
from the fields to the markets and
then competent distribution of the
products so that there may be con-
venient and reasonable supplies to the
consumer.
All of these factors are recognized
by Gov. Whitman and will be referred
to in the recommendations which he
will make to the legislation. But If
there be abundant production, COM
petent organization, adequate trans
pcrtation, and convenient and reason
able distribution, there Is necessarily
involved the control of these factors
Ly some competent man or by COM
mission. small in number. whose mem
bership is made up of men who have
ability to deal with an embarrassing
and possibly dangerous situation.
The necessity for some central
power of this kind is recognized by
Gov. Whitman who is likely to recon-
mend to the legislation that it au-
thorize the establishment of a commits
sion, of probably not more than three
men. A commission of this kind would
be a public service commission OF
the highest value. Moreover, no
partisan or political considerations
would be involved in the creating oil
such a commission, for the members
would accept appointment with nu
other idea Of recompense than that
which they will receive in full meas
ure IL they are able to solve this
problem and will have no patronage
to bestow. Presumably that would
entail the appointment of three men
who are In possession of sufficient
private incomes to make It unneces-
sary for them to consider any money
recompense.
Mr.. Perkins has now for two or
three years been occupied with SER
vice of this kind or kindred service
that has entailed a great deal of hard
work combined with much tact and
much tolerance of ignorance, indif-
ference or downright prejudice. For
this service he has received only the
reward which comes from his sense
of pubic duty performed to the best
Of his ability. He has been en-
barrassed by the unwillingness of the
legislature to heed his appeals and to
some extent by what seemed to be
the indifference Of the city govern
ment to recommendation which he
has made. No one knows from any
statement that he has made that
by reason of these endorsements
/ and this indifference he has been COM
PEELED to advance funds out of his
private purse, often not knowing
whether there would be one penny's
return to him for these advances. But
it is a matter of reasonable inference
that he has done this.
II Mr.. Perkins heeds the appeal
which will be made to him by Gov.
Whitman in case the governors rec
concentrations are embodied into law
then he will accept appointment by
the governor as chairman Of the COM
mission. That at least Is the view
IohOh W IAOSC hdNC eiNCu
thought to the situation. There are
a thousand and one details of which
this commission must be the master,
as for instance, 1t must have the pow
er to seize and distribute foodstuffs.
OF course 1t will make payment in a
manner to be determined by the COM
mission to those from whom these
commodities are taken. A power of
that kind is necessary II speculation
in food products is to be prevented.
Furthermore, the commission may
have power to compel the railroads of
New York State to give preference to
the transportation of necessaries. 1t
Is to have other powers, possibly not
Justified excepting in a time Of grave
public emergency. Gov. Whitman be-
lieves that legislation Of this kind and
the almost autocratic power possessed
by a commission would prevent ex-
tortion, and he has frankly said that
II the plan works well in New York, It
is likely to be adopted by other States,
thereby being Of benefit to the entire
country. HOLLAND.