Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-06-21
Public Sentiment Is Beginning
to Make Itself Felt Among
Opponents of the Measure,
Is indication Now.
WILL BE LAW WITHIN
THREE WEEKS, BELIEF
Senator Kenyon Champions
the Measure, While Gore,
Reed and Vardaman Are the
Main Ones to Oppose It.


Washington, June 20.-Adminis-
tration leaders in congress said to-
night public sentiment was beginning
to make itself felt among opponents
of the food control bill, and predicted
enactment of the measure within two
or three weeks.
Debate continued in both branches
today with the house again sitting un-
til late tonight to close debates with
a view to proceeding under the five
minute speech rule tomorrow and TAX
ing final vote by Saturday. In the
senate there was serious discussion
with larger attendance. The amend
ing stage probably will be reached
there next week after the measure
as 1t passes the house is substituted
for the senate draft.
Despite the continued opposition
and certainty of some amendments,
ultimate enactment of the legislation
in some form is conceded even by its
opponents. Senator Chamberlain said
tonight it was possible that the bill
would be finally enacted by July /,
as desired by the president, but few
shared his optimism, the general opin-
ion expressed being for two more
weeks at least of senate debate.
Kenyon Supports Bill.
Senator Kenyon, republican, occu-
pied most of the day in the senate in
support of the bill. He emphasized
the necessity for broad government
ire, defended the bills constitutional
ity and flayed spectators whom he
characterized as ''highwaymen and
allies of the kaiser.'
IF this thing is going on--the cor
nering of food and fuel he said, I'VE
are going to have hunger and bread
riots in this country, or something
worse"
Senators Gore. Reed and Vardaman,
democrats. continued as the princi-
pal opponents of the bill. They were
joined by Senator Borah, republican,
who questioned the bills cunstitu-
tionality and said it was full of gilt
tering generalities" which would be
wilder the business world and par
alyZe initiative of the country"
He advocated, however regulation
of speculation and governmental pur-
chasing of food supplies.
Gore Is Pessimistic.
Senator Gore insisted that the bill
would force the farmers price down.
production and loss this year of $780,
100000 to producers.
Senator Kenyon said he believed
under the bill the president could
take over factories such as packing
houses Senator Brandegee suggest
ed that to make such communicating
efficient, communicating of workmen
in such factories also should be pro-
vided for.
IF we can conscript mems lives"
replied Senator Kenyon, surely we
can conscript workmen to feed those
men,"
Senator Lewis asked If food prices
would not be affected If the govern
ment were empowered to seize food
and distribute it without delay Sem
ator Kenyon said it would, adding
that a similar law exists in England,
but so far there never has been occa-
sion to enforce it.
Senator King suggested that since
there will not be enough wheat to fill
requirements of the allies and de-
mands of home consumption, except
through rigid economy the United
States government could requisiion
all the wheat, apportion part to the
allies and sell the rest to the people
of this country at cost.
Senator Kenyon said If it would
go out to the country that the gov
eminent was going to buy all the
wheat from the farmers at a fixed
price 1t would hurt production, which
must not be interfered with. Pro-
duction, he asserted, was stimulated
in the bill by making minimum
guarantee price to the farmers.
Mceker Leads House Fight.
In the house Representative Meek
er of Missouri, republican, assailed
the bill and questioned the ability of
Mr.. Hoover, the food administrator,
while Representative Lenroot of Wis
consin, republican, opposed the broad
powers the measure would confer
upon the executive.
Criticisms of Mr.. Hoover drew al
speech in his defense from Repre-
sentative Kahn of California, repub-
lican. who paid tribute to his work
in Belgium.
The galleries applauded in the
house tonight when Representative
London of New York. socialist, twitted
the house over its refusal last Decem-
Der to consider his resolution for a
food survey.
II am compelled to support this
bill" Mr.. London said, because II
think some of the principles of it will
become the permanent law of this
country. 1t is inevitable. This opens
a new road upon which national leg
islatures will be compelled to travel.