The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-05-12
ASKS POWER TO
REGULATE PRICES.
Administration Bill introduced in
the House.
y. S. COULD SEIZE PLANTS
Measure Provides That President Take
over Factories and Distribute Food
When Necessary-WouId Bar
boarding.

Washington, May 4.-Absolute au-
lhoIity TO regulate in it's discretion the
production, distribution and prices of
food and other necessities during the
war was asked of congress by the adj
ADMINISTRATION.
In sweeping bill introduced with
administration approval by Chairman
Lever of the house agriculture com
nittee, il Is proposed to empower the
president, under the war clause OF the
Constitution, to take these measures
whenever in his opinion the national
emergency shall require:
!. To fix maximum and minimum
prices for food, clothing, fuel and other
necessities, and the articles required
for their production.
.. To prescribe regulations 10 govern
the production of these commodities
and If necessary to requisitiOn the pro-
1ucing factories, mines or other estab-
lishments.
3. TO compel holders of necessities
to release them In amounts insuring
equitable distribution.
4. To regulate exchanges in such a
way as to eliminate market manipu-
lation.
,. To compel railroads 10 give pref
erence to the movement of necessities.
6. To levy such importation duties
las he finds necessary 10 prevent eX-
cessive dumping" of foreign products.
~ ,t.,,,
lions upon the use of grain in the
manufacture of liquor.
Propose Standard Grades.
In addition, the secretary OF agri-
culture would be empowered to estab-
lish standard food grades, 10 license
and control the manufacture. storage
and distribution OF foods. TO prescribe
the percentage of -four TO be milled
from wheat, and to regulate the mixing
of wheat -four with other flour in
the making Of bread and other food.
In statement Mr.. Lever declared
there was nothing in the measure 10
disturb legitimate business activities,
because ut is hoped that the mere
powers will be sufficient without its
becoming necessary TO exercise them"
1t is known that officials OF the ex-
ecutive branches of the government
hold the same view. believing that
with such effective weapons in their
possession they will encounter no diff
ficulty in lining up on the side Of the
public interest without legal action all
recalcitrant private agencies.
Supplements Survey Bill.
The bill is supplemental 10 the adj
ministration food measure introduced
in the house earlier in the week, pro-
viding for survey Of the country's
food resources and comforting certain
powers TO prevent food speculation.
; fhis measure was ordered favorably
reported from the agricultural commit
tee, after the committee had reduced
the appropriation carried from $25,-
100000 to approximately S20OO0.0O0,
and had eliminated Il section authoriz-
ing the secretary of agriculture To or
der the immediate sale of any food in
such condition that unless promptly
disposed of II would he unfit for use.
The section will be Incorporated in
n coming third measure which is TO
confer broad powers on the council of
national defense.
Action Due Next Week.
- Mr.. Lever expects 10 get both the
bills up for action in the house next
week. The first already is pending
in the senate and the supplemental
probably will be presented
there today.
"The new bill" said Mr.. Lever in
his statement, IDEALS with all the nee
essaries Of life, including foods, feeds,
shoes, clothing, fuel and articles re-
CURED for their production.
"The measure is intended only to
meet the present emergency"