New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-27
Saws States Supply Must
Be Protected to Preserve
Public Order
Governors Pledge Aid
Will Not Consider Temper.
ancc Question in Grain Regu-
lation, Says Administrator

Washington, May 20 Governor Whit
man to-day communicated TO Herbert
C. Hoover. recently designated as head
OF food control, his anxiety regarding
the delsy IN creating tho national food
administration. The food supply Of
New York State must have adequate
protection. the Governor said, If public
order Is 70 be preserved.
The food control Office within the last
few days has received from nearly
every state executive in tho country
pledges Of cooperation with Federal
food control authorities and urging
that carly steps be taken to get the
food situation we'll in hand. In most
cases the Governors refer 10 the State
Council Of Defence as the medium
through which this cooperation may be
effected. Mr.. Hoover is now formulat-
ing plans whereby the greatest meas
urc Of cooperation may be secured
through these state agencies.
Mr. Hoover to-day defined his atti-
t1de on the prohibition Of foodstufs
in brewing and distilling.
Purely War Measure
lie said it always must DO borne in
mind that the proposed food admins
tration Is purely a war measure. in
tended for no purpose except the
mobilization Of the country's food re-
sources to the most efficient contFibu-
ton 10 success IN war, and that the
food administration would hold its eyes
straight on its true objective, and take
no interest whatever in ethical ques-
tions involved in temperance or non
temperance, or any other question.
IL the problem of giving administra-
tive action TO the provisions IN the
Lever bill on brewing and disulling
came I'D 10 me-" said Mr.. Hoover, 81
should first want TO determine accu-
rately and beyond all question the facts
as 20 how much saving can be made
in the consumption of cereals and the
importance of this saving.
On order 10 determine these facts, II
the legislation passes and If | had TO
deal with the matter, ] should recon-
mend TO the President the appointment
Of committee of national scope and
entirely independent view TO determine
exactly how much saving could be ef-
fected by such action. Such commit
tee would naturally take evidence I'M
der proper conditions and with fairness
10 all sides.
after the finding of this committee
iiwould be necessary for the President
to weigh the results TO be obtained as
against other questions, such as the
dislocation Of revenue and Industry.
What is wanted in all these matters IS
facts, and 1t is impossible 10 collect
such fundamental data until after leg
islation has been completed
$4,000, 900 Cut in Food Bill
Reduction by more than 100000 in
appropriations carried by the Admins
tration's food survey and stimulation
bill was agreed 10 by the House to-day
and consideration virtually was com
pleted in committee of the whole. Final
passage Of the measure, carrying total
Of s14,770,500, is expected on Monday.
The Senate debated a similar bill
throughout the day, without making
material progress, and the time of pas
sage there is still in doubt.
All reductions in the House measure
we're suggested by the Agricultural
Committee. Two remain TO be for
mally adopted, but there probably will
be no objection to them. Those accept
ed to-day we're:
For combating diseases of livestock
and enlarging production. reduced from
100000 10 SsS5,000; for seed dis
tribution and eradication of insects
and plant diseases, from $6,500,000 to
S6.11e, 900. and for increasing food pro-
duction and alimentation it is recon-
mended that the food survey appropria-
ton be reduced from S3,500.000 TO So
$4,000 and the miscellaneous section
from 100000 to S796,2OO.
Persons employed in carrying out the
work provided for in the bill would
be liable 20 military service under an
amendment offered by Representative
Mckenzie, of Illinois. and adopted. The
proposal followed repeated charges by
Republicans that unless it were speci-
fed that such work could not be re-
garded as cause for exemption. the
hill wouid furnish 1900 new positions