Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-23
"PRoTEcT Foop"-GoMPERs.
Says People Of Country Already Are
Feeling Hunger Pinch.

washington, June Zo.-OISluS iiiiARo
date enactment of the Lever food ad-
ministration bill, as essential TO mill
tary service, Samuel Gompers, presl-
dent of the American Federation VI
Labor. issued a statement last night
attacking food pirates and speculat-
orS
Asserting that spectators had forced
food prices to the point Of preclpltat-
ing riots in this country, Mr.. Gompers
declared, on authority Of the assistant
secretary of agriculture, that in
Polish district in Chicago within the
last three months five women have
committed suicide or gone insane -
driven to that desperation thru inabu-
ity to feed their children"
THE probability OF Worldwide
want" President Gompers said, makes
immediate legislation to regulate food
prices and distribution imperative.
Thousands Feel Want.
1T Is difficult for US as a nation to
grasp the meaning of that statement.
With our boundless wealth and unde-
veloped resources we have never con-
sidered economy in the use OF foods or
methods of stimulating production. But
now, all over this country, thousands
are feeling the pinch Of want.
1T is now certain that the wheat
crop of the world will be seriously be-
low normal. The United States must
feed the allies-that task will mean an
unprecedented drain on our food re-
sources. We must also feed our own
soldiers and civilian population. II
methods and agencies are not devsl-
oped that will enable US to control dis
tribution and prices Of the necessities
of the people prices will become pro-
hibitive.
The food pirates have been dill
gently profiting thru the needs Of the
people. Speculation has forced up
prices. Today spectators are trying
to buy up crops before the plants are
out Of the ground. Spectators gam
BILE on human needs. BY creating hu-
man want, these ghouls expect to coin
enormous profits.
Must Act at Once.
Should our government fail to es-
tablish control before crops move to
the elevators and markets, the success
of the war and the cause Of human
Ir6SuOIH LOT WHICH LILO oA1aoo SS1AsSAAS
will be imperiled.
Legislation is pending in congress
to give us agencies to control the 1000
situation. The people and the govern
ment of the United States have en-
barked on a venture to maintain and
defend the principles Of right, Justice
freedom and democracy for the peo-
pies uf ali the world, We have entered
into a war and pledged our man-poWer
and our resources to destroy imperlal-
ism and despotism from the face OF
the earth.
'.In this titanic task there have
arisen the financial pirates who gam
bic in and speculate with the people
essentials to their life, and, therefore
aye, therefore alone, must the govern
ment of our republic come to the re-
cue Of our people in this life and deatE
struggle.
Faith in the President.
1.-THE broad powers which the Lever
bill would delegate to the president are
in accord with the spirit Of our pep
pie. which regards the president as the
sentinel on guard to protect the rights
and interests Of the masses. He hal
| always Deen IouHo coiSeiou' W
needs of the common people and 1t II
believed that the food problems car
be safely intrusted to him and to MI
chosen representative, Herbert
| Hoover.
TT is safe to say that there wa!
never a, measure before congress ina
was of more immediate, vital interes
than the Lever bill Congress can no
afford to delay action and thus writ
over our food policy Too late"