The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-08-09
Bill to Provide Food Survey
Also Passes-Hoover's
Appointment Sure.
PRICE CONTROL IS
GIVEN PRESIDENT
Farmers Especially Benefit
in Government Purchase
and Sale of Fertilizer.
az AssocIATEp PRESS.

washington, Aug, S.-Ihe food con-
troll bill which passed the senate this
afternoon is expected to be signed by
the president Friday. The vote of the
senate was 66 to 7. The measure pro-
viding for a food survey has also
passed. The prompt appointment of
Herbert Hoover, food administrator,
is expected to follow.
The food control bill establishes,
during the war, broad government
control over foods, feeds, fuel, fuel
oils, natural gas, fertilizer and its in
gradients, tools, utensils and equip
ment required for the actual produc
ton of all such products, designated
necessities"
In establishing government control,
the bill authorizes the president to
enter into any voluntary arrange
ments, create or use any agency or
agencies, to accept services of any
person without compensation, to CO.
operate with any agency or person, to
utilize any department or agency of
the government, and to coordinate
their activities.
Comprehensive powers are given IN
the bill, passed as a war measure, to
assure adequate supply and equitable
distribution of the named necessaries,
to facilitate their movement; to pre-
vent, locally and generally, scarcity
ton, manipulation or private control
affecting supply, distribution and
movement.
Other provisions OF the bill fix a
minimum price for wheat beginning
next year at not less than 81 per
standard bushel; provide for coal and
coke price fixing, Communicating and
government operation of factories and
mines producing necessaries; for gov
eminent purchase, sale and requisition
of various necessaries, and for federal
licensing of agencies producing and
handling them.
The bin appropriates for fund of
$150,000,000 to be used in its admin
istration and $10,OOO,00O for federal
purchase and sale at cost of fertilizer.
Prohibiting Features.
The prohibiting provisions, a COM
promise for bone dry" prohibition
proposed by the house, prohibit manu-
facture and importation of distilled
liquors for beverages during the war,
authorize the president to suspend
manufacture of malt, fermented and
vinous liquors or to limit their alco-
holic content and "authorizes and di-
reefs" the president, in his discretsCSS
to commander distilled beverages in
bond or stock when necessary for re-
distillation into alcohol for military or
other public defense purposes or to
conserve food stuffs.
Sweeping powers to control coal
prices also are provided. The bill
authorizes the president, through the
federal trade commission or other
agency, to fix coal and coke prices, at
the mines and among wholesalers and
retailers, to regulate method of sale,
shipment and distribution among deal
ers and consumers, and to requisition
and operate mines or other Coaling
facilities.
A system of federal licensing of all
agencies related to the production,
transportation and distribution of the
designated necessaries also is pro-
vided, and rigid provisions against
boarding, speculation and monopoliza-
ton established, under heavy penal
ties. Farmers are exempted from the
boarding provisions.
The bill also authorizes the presi-
dent to requisition. for military or
public defense needs. all necessaries
named, and, to guarantee reasonable
price to producer and consumer, to
buy and sell fuel, wheat, -four, meal,
beans and potatoes. The bill also
authorizes the president to requisition
and operate any factory, packing
house, mine or 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 COM
missioners of their own products ia
the government, prohibits federal
agents from soliciting or inducing
contracts with the government in
which they are interested.