The sun., 1917-05-20
Belgian Relief Expert Ac-
cepts Post Provided He
and Aids Get No Pay.
NOW Up TO CONGRESS-
Problem of Feeding Amer
lea and Her Allies Con-
fronts AppOintee.
STARTS ON TASK AT ONCE
''Don't Starve; Eat Plenty.
but Without Waste"
He Warns Public.
STARTS ON TASK AT ONCE

WASHINGTON, May 1s.-The entire
problem Of food administration in the
United States throughout the war with
Germany is to be placed in the hands
of Herbert c. Hoover. who lately re-
turned to this country after distin-
guished service as head OF the Belgian
rslisf work.
President Wilson announced this
afternoon that all the broad powers es-
sential to the solution of the problem of
feeding the American nation and its al
lies would be delegated to Mr.. Hoover.
who had consented to act only on the
provision that he would receive no pay
and that his assistannts. likewise. would
serve without pay SO far as 1t was pos
sible 10 volunteer workers. With the end
Of the war the powers of the Hoover
commission will cease.
Neither the President nor Mr.. Hoover
desires the new position to be known as
dictatorship. Il have no instinct to
ne a food dictator" said Mr. Hoover
My ambition is to see my own people
solve their own problems
Issue Now Up to Congrcss.
The appointment of Mr. Hoover is of
course provisional on authorization by
Congress of an emergency food commits
sion with the extraordinary powers
asked by the President. and Mr.. Hoover's
acceptance also was on the assumption
hat Congress will not see fit to limit the
lowers which Mr.. Hoover regards as
vital to successful administration of
tae food situation.
President Wilson in a statement an
uollcing his selection of Mr. Hoover
sailed natly that II was absolutely
necessary that unquestionable authority
he placed In his hands to insure an
effective solution of the problems which
have arisen from the universal shortage
Of toodsturfs.
The President declared he is confident
that exercise OF the authority granted
viii be necessary only ain the few eases
where some small and selfish minority
proves unwilling to put the nations In.
terests above personal advantage"
Among these powers as outlined by
the President are:
Prevention Of boarding. requisitloning
Of food supplies. establishment of maxi
mum and minimum prices, licensing OF
agencies handling foodstuffs In any way
and IL regarded as necessary taking
them over for operation under Govern
nleHt supervision, fixing milling per-
centages for the manufacture OF 1oIr
authorizing the mixture of other cereals
with wheat In the manufacture OF -four
and the elimination of the waste OF food
materials. as, for example. through the
prohibition or reduction of the use OF
grains in the manufacture of liquor.
statement by the President.
The Presidents statement in full. fol
\ lows
1T is very desirable, in order to pre-
vent misunderstanding or alarms and Il
assure cooperation in vital matter
that the country should understand ex
actly the scope and purpose of the yer.
great powers which 4 have thought
necessary in the circumstances to asl
the Congress 10 put In my hands witt
regard to our food supplies. Those pow
ers are very great indeed, but they ar
ossreater than 1t has proved necessar
TO lodge in the other Governments whic
\ are conducting this mon1entous war, an
their object is stimulation and conserva
ton. not arbitrary restraint or injuriou
Interference with the normal processe
OF production. They are intended
benefit and assist the farmer and a
those who play a legitimate part in tn
preparation. distribution and marketin
Of foodstuffs.
"It is proposed to draw a sharp lin
OF distinction between the normal activi
Ties OF the Government represented
he Department OF Agriculture In refer
ence to food production. conservatio
and marketing on the one hand and tn
emergency activities necessltated by tn
war In reference to the regulation {
food distribution and consumption on tn
other.
Purposes of Legislation.
"All measures intended directly
extend tho normal activities OF tn
DEPARTMENT Of Agriculture In referen'
. the production, conservation aud Il
marketing of farm crops will be az
mln!stered, az In normal times, throug
hat department. and the powers askt
Tor over distribution and consumptio
over exports, imports. prices. purcha'
and requstion OF commodities. storir
and the like which may require reguli
Ton during the war will be placed
the hands of commissioner of foe
administration appointed by the Pres
dent and directly responsible to him.
The objects sought TO be served
the legislation asked for are: Full !
duiry into the existing available stoc
of foodstuffs and into the costs and pra
ttces Of tho various food producing al
distributing trades the prevention OF {
nnwarranted boarding Of every kind al
OF the control OF foodstuffs by perso
who are not In any legitimate sense pr
ducers. dealers or traders the rcqui
tionng, when necessary for the pub
e't. Of food supplies and of the equi
ment necessary for handling them pro
erly the licensing OF wholesome a
legitimate mixtures and milling p'
eentages and the prohibition Of the =
necessary or wasteful use OF foods.
Authority ID asked also to establi
priees--not In order to limit the prof
os the farmers. but only to guaran'
TO them whom necessary minim,
price which win insure them pre-
where they are asked TO attempt NJ
crops, and TO secure the consun
against extortion by breaking up o
nsrs and sttsmpts at speculation vh
----
conttnusd On secsSS Hses.