New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-21
Amended Food Bill
Will Pass Congress

there were continual Interruptions in
exchanges. Under the bill Mr..
Kenyon had said ne believed the
President could take over fac
tories. such as packing houses. Sen
ator Brandegee suggested that 10 make
such Communicating efficient. com
Wandering of workmen IN such fac
tories also should be provided for.
IF we can conscript mems lives" re
piled Senator Kenyon. surely we can
conscript workmen 20 feed those men. y
Senator Lewis, of Illinois, asked II
food prices would not be affected if
the government were empowered 10
seize food and distribute II without de-
lay. Senator Kenyon said they would,
adding that similar law now exists in
England, but so far there has never
been occasion to enforce 1t.
Food Price Reduction Urgent
Senator Weeks expressed the belief
that something must be done at once
10 lower food prices and regulate the
steps between the producer and con-
sumner.
Senator Vardaman said he would
rather follow Mr.. Hoover's idea to have
voluntarily in the campaign for food
economy than issue some governmental
edict.
81 would rather the President tell
me what | can have TO eat than have
Germany overrun the country, inter
jected Senator Myers. 8,
81 suppose that remark is directed
at me-" replied Senator Vardaman. Il
do not have to defend my patriotism
and have no fear of any Kaiser, Ger
man or otherwise, holding sway over
this country. ! am opposed TO UNI
American methods being used
Senator King suggested that since
there will not be enough wheat to MI
requirements of the Allies and de-
mands of home consumption, exert
through rigid economy, the United
states government could requsition al!
the wheat. apportion part TO the Al.
lies. and sell the rest TO the people OF
this country at cost. This plan, he said,
would make for equitable distribution
and keep the price within reach OF the
consumers, while the prices OF otner
foodstuffs probably would conform -
that at which the government sold the
wheat.
Senator KENYON said if it should 90
ont 70 tho country that the government
was going to buy all the wheat fror
tho farmers at a fixed price it would
hurt production, which must not be
interfered with. He pointed out how
the bill provided that the government.
should do all the things suggested py
the Utah Senator, except requlsition
the wheat from the producers froduc-
d ton. he asserted, was stimulated IN the
( bill by making a minimum guarantee
! price TO the farmers.
Senator Kenyon introduced an
amendment to the section empowering
/ the President to seize foodstuhs IN
storage in order. he explained, to make
I certain that it does not apply TO 1000
products held by farmers.
Government control Of necessarles,
said the Iowa Senator, answering con-
stitutional arguments, rs set out III
| Section 8 of the bill, which IS =
legislative declaration that. these
things are affected with pubic inter
| est"
He contended that decisions of the
SUPREME Court laid down the principle
that many things which were private
nroperty in peace times became affected
| with q public interest under war condi-
tions and during such an emergency
they could be regulated and used for
public purposes.
Could Be a Police Power
Senator Nelson argued that the bill
could be nut on the police powers OF the
government, which included anything
affecting the life, happiness and wel'
fare of the people.
Senator Kenyon agreed with q sug-
gestion of Senator Mcclellan that penal
ties should be put upon all acts which
are made offences under the bill.
Discussing the licensing feature of
! the bill, Senator Borah expressed the
belief that the section would not affect
the meat packing industry. He said
the larger packing companies made last
wear about s14,O00.oOO profits in excess
Of stock dividends and declared that thi 3
explained why the price of meat is high.
Amendments providing for the NAM
ing of an American food board which
would take over and transact all bust
ness of buying and selling of neces-
stiles to the Allies was introduced by
Senator Mcclellan.