The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-04-27


production and distribution. The far
mer's representatives promised even
to give their endorsement to legisla-
tion giving the government power to
fix maximum and minimum prices in
an emergency.
As it's part in the governments plan
the department of labor announced
it had undertaken the mobilization of
a million boys throughout the country
as active farm workers for the sum-
ner. An organization will be formed
to be known as the United States
,ovs' working reserve. Its operation
will be directed from Washington by
VIM. Edwin Hall of New York, presi-
dent of the Boys Clubs Federation, call
ed here by Secretary Wilson for the
task.
The announcements of the day bear
ing on the food situation were def
milton about duties to be performed
here by Herbert c. Hoover as chair
man of the food committee Of the Coun
Gil of National Defense and the state
ment that VIM. ]. Bryan would tour
the west to help spread the agricpltu-
raj departments appeal for increased
food production. Mr.. Hoover, it was
Stated, will advise as TO the best means
Of assisting the allies 70 meet their
food neails sha esIll e.. e..
lcieH aIlh COMMUNITIES IN meeting their
food problems.
} Appearing with Secretary Houston
before the senate committee were the
representatives Of the farmers organ
izations. Mr.. Houston ampliied the
the letter he sent to the senate last
week and answered questions about
food supplies, high prices and propo-
sails for maximum and minimum
price legislation. He said the depat-
ment of agriculture lacked machinery
to obtain an accurate estimate of the
food supply of the country and needed
legislation to provide it.
Aside from the wheat and potato
crops there had been no indicated short
age of staple foodstuffs, the secretary
said. The nation needs for its normal
domestic requirements about 640,000,-
900 bushels of wheat year, he ex-
planned, including SO,O0OO0O bushels
for seeding purposes. That amount,
he said, was about this years crop.
Last year the nation had carrying
over" of about 170,000,000 bushels of
wheat.
From July 1st | at to March 1st
last the amount exported was about
130,O00,OO0 bushels. With all these
facts in mind, the secretary said, it
was hard to determine the cause of
$2.32 wheat.
Probably" he said, "there is partly
an economic justification. partly there
is apprehension that the low prices
paid a few years ago will be paid
again. And to what extent prices may
be controlled, have no facts to base
an opinion"
Figures were given showing that
the production of corn, barley, oats,
rice, milk and butter, eggs and other
food products this year were greater,
or at least equal to the average for the
last five years, and that production
ad increased.
81 think" Mr.. Houston said, "the
high prices are due to a combination
Of circumstance"
ga combination Of circumstances and
people" suggested Mr.. Kenyon.
Maybe" replied the secretary.
Secretary Houston said he believed
he farmer quite safe in increasing
production and would find high prices
continuing even if peace were to come
now. But, he said, the farmer should
'e guaranteed minimum price for
shose things the government told him
to grow to help the nation.
II Suggest, "the secretary said, chat
we should have legislation to fix
minimum price. don't believe con-
gress should attempt TO fix prices of
things that would be subject to shift,
and the power should be conferred on
the executive. Perhaps in certain ex-
treme emergencies there should be the
)ower to fix maximum prices. There
might be cases of speculation that
could be controlled that way. l sug-
gest that you cnfer the power on the
Council Of National Defense to act at
the direction of the president in fixing
maximum and minimum prices"
Mr.. Houston said he did not believe