Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-13
SITUATION IN SENATE
ON FOOD MEASURE IS
CLEARING Up RAPIDLY
Senator Hoke Smith and 9th
er Leaders Believe Bill Will
Be Stripped of All Extrane-
OdS Matter
BY RALPH SMITH.

-
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE legis-
lative situation in the senate respect
ing the food control bill is clarifying
rapidly, following the agreement yes
terday to begin voting on the final pas
sage of the measure one week from Sat
urday. Every indication justifes the
optimism of Senator Hoke Smith and
other administration leaders that the
legislation will be stripped of extraneous
matter and will apply solely to food as
originally suggested by President Will
son and Herbert c. Hoover.
1t is, indeed. possible that the pro-
hibition features of the measure may
be eliminated. This possibility hinges
almost entirely upon the success of
movement to put through the senate in
dependently the Sheppard constitutional
amendment, prohibiting the manufac-
ture, importation and sale of intoxlcat-
ing liquors. A two-thirds vote is re-
quired to pass a constitutional amend
ment. 1t Is understood that the pro-
hibition advocates are now assured of
within two votes of the required two
thirds and they are hopeful of securing
these.
If the prohibition forces can secure
an agreement from the ants to vote at
q given date on the Sheppard constitu-
ttonal amendment as an independent
proposition it is possible they will
agree to the elimination of the LIQUOR
features of the food bill.
SENATOR SMITHS VIEWS
Senator Hoke Smith, discussing the
bill in the form of its final passage,
said today:
II have little doubt that the provis-
ions seeking to bring cotton and cotton
manufactured goods under supervise
ion of the food control board will be
stricken.
THE farmers in Georgia in my judg-
ment will in no way be injured by the
bill as it is finally passed and at the
same time there will be provisions
which would protect the consuming
public from the Spectator. and also
protect the country from exorbitant
coal rates.
THE probabilities are that the pro-
hitition amendment to the constitution
will be passed this month and perhaps
even before the final wife On the food bill.
The friends of the measure can rely
now on within two votes of the neces-
sary two-thirds. They believe they
will be able to obtain the full two
thirds"
After accepting tentatively the COM
mittee amendment authorizing the pres
ident to commander whisky held in
bond, consideration of the administrative
sections of the food bill was taken up
by the senate.
Senators Overman and Smoot objected
to appropriating $3.50, 900 for car
rying out the provisions of the act with
out some provision for a detailed state
ment of expenditures. Senator Cham
berlain then introduced nm amendment
to require the president to file an item
ICED account annually, lie also intro
Huced an amendment appropriating
$500, 900 for the erection of temporary
buildings on grounds owned by the gov
eminent to be used by the administra-
tors of the food bill.
Senator Reed said he understood the
agriculture committee was to bring In a
substitute food bill and he protested
Nzainst further consideration of the
present bill as q waste Of time. Sem
ator Knox also voiced disapproval of
this method.
HOOVER SOUNDS WARNING.
President Wilson probably will quick
ly put the screws on" a dallying con-
Sress.
With fresh delays resulting from sub
stitution Of a milder food bill in the
senate and an agreement to vote there
on July 81. the president today was
confronted with Herbert Hoover's di-
rect warning that delay now is peril
Gus.
Radical revision of the food bill, now
before the senate agriculture commit
tee will strip the. measure of it's present
prohibition status.
1t will be left with a provision to for
bid distillation of spirits, without pro-
viding for seizure Of present hard Ii
quor stocks, while prohibition of beer
and wine will be left up to the pres
ident.
Hoover's warning unent delays
charges that there has Been rampant
speculation and eXtortionate profits this
year among those who barter with
Americas food supplies Stability is
needed, he says, inasmuch as every link
in the food chain is taking wide
profit as protection against abnormal
fluctuations.
Hoover pointed out this nation will
have a theoretical export balance of
rs, 600, 900 bushels of grain this year.
with $50, 900, 900 through conservation.
CHECKS ARE NEEDED.
The situation at present, with no
checks upon it, works i'll to the farmer
and consumer alike. The farmer, he
SAYS, gets only $151 for wheat which
commands 1926 in Chicago.
Moreover, the American producer now
is largely at the mercy OF the allied
buyer who represents a consolidation of
the buying agencies of the ally govern
ments.
Hoover suggests the possibility Of in
ternal troubles If prices continue to
soar and urges that speedy enactment
of food legislation should be undertaken
With Gate for vote set at July H.
FIVE weeks will have elapsed since the
measure first went to congress, Whle
the food survey bill has been mulled
ever since June 1. President wilson
is manifestly disappointed at the de-
lays, on a measure marked "rush." He
will probably call in congress members
and use his personal influence on them
to check further dalltance.
Senator Chamberlain has withdrawn
his motion for cloture. And the agree
ment for a vote July 81 was reached
only after Democrats had forced prom
Use that the measure would be remould-
ed.
And now that consent has been reach-
ed to remove some things from the
bill, every one wants to do it, and all
directors are climbing aboard with de-
mands that their particular ayersions De
recognized. What the food bill VIII LOOK
like when finally disposed of is hard 10
contemplate.
~ ~ WY