Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-06-20
BOARD OF EXPORT

are buying on a gigantic scale while
TIE allies are waiting On congress be-
fore setting up a food department and
lolnt Purchasing agency here. But it Is
pointed out the allies, armed with
plenty Of n1Oaey--Amerfean money
lean scarcely Be expected to delay buy.
ing grain II negtEals continue il. Hence
sexperts see the prospects Of their rush
ling into the market soon to beat the
neutKzIs TO the prize.
! Unless the measure Is passed by July
4 ], congress must at least officially rec
ogHize a food control department and
Z give Herbert Hoover a sufficient Op-
erating appropriation, or he will re-
gard his ssefulHess at an end, IL is
said. 1t would be impossible for him
70 direct food control without official
status and money.
Bill Gives the Power
Hoover himself Il in New York today
looking into the grain exports situation.
The uncertain temper Of congress on
the food bill, however, Is making it
very difficult for him to make any
great beadway in bis present work.
The only weapon in sight for use in
the food conservation battle is the EN-.
barge clause in the espionage bill,
whieh President Wilson probably will
sign today. A general export program
has been formulated BY the cabinet and
partial or total embargoes on coal and
wheat 70 neutrals is being considered.
President Wilson is expected 70 sign. I
today or tomorrow. the measure for a
board Of export control This board I
would have arbitrary powers over ship /
meHts Of fOodstuffs to neutrals, being I
designed mainly to prevent neutrais !
from getting an over abundance for
themselves or a portion for secret ex-
port to Germany through neutral eoun-
tries contiguous to Germany.
Spectators Left Pree
This measure, probably checking such
export quite effectively, is p0werless.
however, 70 prevent spectators friend
ly 10 Germany from buying up vast
quantities OF grains for storage or for
prices later.
The food control bill, however, cen
the power Of distribution,
would put an end to boarding either
by American, neutral or proGerman
buyers.
II Is probable Hoover will lay new
and startling facts regarding the dan
ger threatening this eOuntry's food sup
ply when he e0nfers with senators
again Friday morning. Some admins
lratiOn leaders were somewhat diseOur'
aged following the vigorous cross ex,
Of Hoover by Senators Reed
and Gore yesterday.
II was comparable to court trial I'M
which prosecutors had the accused on
the grill. Throughout the hearing Reed
to Hoover as the witness =.
He and Gore indicated they will fight
The bin to finish.
Fihbuster Expected
In expectation Of o possible fiiibus-
ter, both republican and democratic
leaders are prepared to pursue dras-
tie 'sshort ann course, If necessary.
senator Chamberlain brought the bill
lp again in the senate today and said
he would keep it there until acted on.
Night sessions may be res0rted TO, and
II filibuster is attempted, eloture will
be invoked
The battle in the upper house is
swinging around 10 a point Of 0minOus /
bitterness. Unnecessary delays are ex- /
pecfed 10 bring fire from the white I
iouse on reealeitrants. II
Meanwhile, friends OF the bill today
the enlistment Of Senator
Johnson, California, who has lined up
lie batteries on tho side Of food con
rol and will glaze al the enemy this
week.
Three days Of listless debate, mostly
'avorable-was expected to end in the
rouse this afternoon.
Chairman Lever of the agriculture
expected to be able to get !
he bin opened for actual consideration
ate today or st the beginning Of TO.
morrow s session. The house is expected
o pass the bill by Saturday night. Lit
lc formidable opposition h,ls shown IL
elf so far, Pressure by the white house !
as well as hy the president,
has done much to reconcile
house members 10 the pro- >
-isions Of the measure. Q