Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-08-22
With the Exception Of the Rev
euue Measure This Is the Last
Important, War Legislation Be-
fore Consress-Fight Against
Act Occupied 100 days.
Smoet Amendment Edited.

VI various ueCeSpdE4e8 anu TOT Ie0et8l
licensing of, agencies producing and
handling them.
The prohibition provisions, compro-
mise for bone dry" prohibition pro.
posed by the house, prohibit manufac-
ture and importation Of distilled liquors
for beverages during the war, author
lie the president to suspend manufac-
ture of malt, fermented and vinous
liquors or to limit their alcoholic COM
tent and authorizes and directs" the
president, In his discretion, to COM
mandeer distilled beverages in bond or
stock when necessary for rehabilitation
into alcohol for military or other public
defense purposes or to conserve food
stufrs. ~ 1. r.
Congressional leaders understand the
president does not intend to comman-
deer distilled spirits or to- curtail their
consumption unless military exigeacies
require. The SO called Smoot amend
ment, directing federal purchase of dis
titled beverages In bond at cost plus
10 per cent profit, was eliminated.
Will Control Coal. '
Sweeping powers to control coal
prices also are provided. The bill au-
tnorizes the president, through tho
Federal Trade Commission or other
agency, to fix ceal and coke prices at
the mines and among wholesalers and
retailers, to regulate methods Of sale,
shipment and distribution among DEAL
ers and consumers, and to requisition
and operate mines. or other coaling IA
cilities. j. : 81 = - . - ~ .
A system Of. f 1.4ral licensing of all
agencies related to the production,
transportation and distribution of the
designated necessaries also, is provid-
ed, and rigid provisions against hoard
ing, speculation and monopolization es-
tablished under heavy penalties. Farm
ers are exempted from the boarding
provisions.
The bill also authorizes the presi-
dent to requisition for military or pub
nc defense needs all necessaries named
and, to guarantee reasonable prices to
producer and consumer, to buyrand sell
fuel, wheat, -four. meal, beans and po-
tatoes. The bill also authorizes the
president to requisition and operate
any factory, packing house, mine OF oil
pipe line, at just compensation, for
military or public defense uses.
Regulation Of grain and other food
stuff markets TO- prevent Injurious
speculation or undue: enhancement of
prices. is another power conferred upon
the food administration through the
president.
Another clause, inserted by the sen.
ate after much criticism of alleged sale
by members Of the advisory commits
stoners Of. their own products to the
government, prohibits. federal agents
from soliciting or inducing contracts
with the government in which they are
interested.
Herbert Hoover and his aids are e.
tablished at their new quarters in the
Hotel Gordon, Washington, and Mr..
Hoover soon. will make public tho
procedure which he has decided upon.
Enough is known of Mr.. Hoover's pur.
pose to warrant the statement that ha
Ia not going to be content with any
merely perfunctory enforcement Of the
law.
It II palpable that IL the law Is car
ried out with the exercise of even half
the authority conferred by congress the
Hoover food administration soon viii
ind itself battling against the tremen-
dous opposition of the great special in
terests which so long have fattened on
food distribution and manipulation
Also It is obvious that If the pubic is
to get relief the opposition of these In
terests must be expected, and It would
be- waste Of time to try to get along
with them peacefully.
Public Must Help Out.
Mr.. Hoover is going to do a great
deal, as he has already done, through
the voluntary efforts of the people to
conserve food and prevent waste. He
also Is going to rely to a large extent
on the force Of public opinion to back
him up in the enforcement of the new
law. 1t will be with this in mind that
he will give out before long . series Of
statements covering his plans. 49,
One thing which cannot. be overlook.
ed IL that while, the bill was pending
leaders in congress- were told rspeat-
edly It must be passed and something
must be done to effect lower living
COST because the unrest among the
poorer families in the cities was crow
ing and there would be- grave food
riots next winter unless conditions
were changed. .a@ J : =
Examination Of the measure al 1t
has passed congress leaves no Ques-
ton that It conveys powers which, Il
exercised, will rebound to the public
benefit. - At the same time 1t 10 Inn
portant to remember that the country
this year has 4 tremendous crop Of
foodstuffs in the aggregate much more
than it needs and that IL this IL not
wasted nor manipulated and is wisely
distributed there will be enough for
home use and enormous quantities for
the allies and American troops abroad.
Need Not Be Disappointed.
If the profits on Distribution are
held down to modefate figures there Il
reason to believe that the two desir-
able results OF large shipments abroad
and reasonable prices at home can be
achieved. ..g.zsss. 55 zsf.ss -:
= That Mr.. Hoover IL sincere in his
desire. tOsac hlsHe these two great ends
= not donhtt hi those who know him,
sdespii fesan 4AalAttacks made and tie
ianrrenE that u tn TODD control