Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-22

where some small and selfish MI
nority proves unwilling to put the
nations interests above personal
advantage and that the whole coun-
try will heartily support Mr.. Hoov-
er's efforts by supplying the neces-
sary volunteer agencies through
out the country for the intelligent
contro l of food consumption and Sc
curing the cooperation of the most
capable leaders of the very interests
most directly affected, that the ex-
ercise of the powers deputed to him
will rest very successfully upon the
good will and cooperation of the
people themselves. and that the or
binary economic machinery Of the
country will be left substantially
undisturbed.
ONLY DURING WAR.
The proposed food administration
IL intended. of course, only to meet
manifest emergency and continue
only while the war lasts. Since 1t
will be composed for the most part
Of volunteers. there need be no fear
of the possibility Of a permanent
bureaucracy arising out Of it. All
control Of consumption will disap-
pear when the emergency has pass
that the administration considers
il to be of pre-eminent Importance
that the existing associations of
producers and distributors Of food
stuffs should be modified and made
use Of on a volunteer basis. The
successful conduct of the projected
food administration by such means
will be the finest possible demon
NJ ha xuil1
ability, and the efficiency Of denoc-
racy. and Of its justified reliance
upon the freedom Of individual ini-
tiative. The last thing that any
American could contemplate with
equanimity would be the introduce
ton Of anything resembling Prus-
sian autocracy into the food control
in this country.
II is Of vital interest and i'm
portance to every man who produces
food and to every man who takes
part in its distribution that these
policies thus literally administer
cd should succeed and succeed al
together. 1t is only in that way
that we can prove II tc be absolute
ly unnecessary to resort 20 the rig
orous and drastic measures which
have proved to be necessary in
some OF the European countries.
The secretary OF agriculture has
been of the opinion from the out
set that special emergency powers
for the regulation Of distribution
and consumption during the war
should be vested in the president.
and that these bowers should not
be exercised by the department OF
agriculture but by an emergency
agency. He has also entertained the
hope that Mr.. Herbert c. Hoover.
especially because of his familiarity
with international food conditions,
might be designated by the presi-
dent to discharge these powers dur
ing the war. He Is greatly pleased
that the president has concluded
the matter and very much hopes
that the necessary powers will be
quickly conferred by the congress.
Mr.. Hoover's acceptance was "entir,
y upon the assumption that congress
will grant broad powers to the pres
lent on which a competent ADMINISTERS
ion can be set up"
These broad powers" Mr.. Hoove
said, would be necessary only in IN
lority cases"
"The essence of all war administrs
don," said Mr.. Hoover, falls in tw
phases:
First. centralize a single respons
bility.
Second. the delegation Of this r
to decentralize admins
trative organs.
DON'T EXPECT STARVATION.
I'VE do not ask the American poop
% starve themselves" he explaine'
but that they should eat plenty, wis
~ and without waste"
Mr.. Hoover announced a plan to mobi
re the American women under a pleds
system to carry out instructions of Il
food administration. His plan includ'
complete cooperation with the allies.
II have no instinct to be O food dit
tator," he said. my ambition Is
see my own people solve their ow
and possibility of failure, and appei
their support"
Mr.. Hoover issued the following stat,
nent:
In accepting President Wilson's
request that I should become head
the new IOOO IL 10
entirely upon the assumption that
congress will grant broad powers
to the president on which a compe-
tent administration can be set up.
IT hold strongly to the view
that while large powers are neces-
sary for minority cases, they will
probably need but little application.
for the vast majority of the pro-
ducing and distributing elements in
the country are only too willing
and anxious to serve our national
necessities. have represented to
the president five cardinal prtnci-
pies OF food administration.
First, that tho food problem is
one of wise administration and not
expressed by the words dictator
or controller but food administra-
tor.
Second, that this administration
can be largely carried out through
the coordination and regulation Of
the existing legitimate distributive
agencies supplemental by certain
emergency bodies composed of rep
resentatives of the producers, dis
tributors and consumers.
Third, the organization Of the com
munity for voluntary conservation
of foodstuffs.
Fourth, that all important posi-
lions, so far as may be, shall be
filled with volunteers.