The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-27

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10 an uncontrolled and unorpan;zoa
system of distribution. (Applause)
That some kind of food and fuc,
control is necessary to their most ef-
flcient mobilization is imperativo
thoughtful men everywhere recoe-
nize.
Immediately upon the entrance O,
the United States into the war the
Secretary at st. Louis of the agricul-
tural leaders of the nation, including
the State agricultural officials, COM
inissioners, representatives of the ag-
ricultural colleges of each of the
States and representatives of more
than hundred farm journals, with
total circulation aggregating ap-
proximately 100000. Later the
secretary. realizing the special impor-
tance Of ascertaining the views of the
executive heads of the great national
farm organization, invited them to
confer with him. There were repre-
sented the Grange. the Farmers
Union. the Cleaners and the Farmers
National Congress. Later the Ameri-
can Society of Equity appeared before
the house committee on agriculture.
In general these agricultural leaders
endorsed the proposals contained in
the food products bill, which has al
ready passed both houses of congress,
and the proposition contained in the
bill which I now present for your
consideration.
The bill deals with foods, fuel and
articles required for their production.
1t aims to facilitate and clear the
channels of distribution; to prevent
boarding; to prevent wilful destruc-
ton of necessities in order to enhance
the price or restrict the supply there
or; to eliminate injurious speculation;
tc regulate exchanges and boards of
tra de in order to prohibit undue fiuc-
tuation Of prices, unjust market ma
nirulation or unfair or misleading
market quotations.; to reduce waste
including the power to regulate or
completely to prohibit the use of ce-
reals in the manufacture of alcoholic
beverages, and to stimulate production
by assuring the farmer a reasonable
and n free and open market for his
products, unrestricted by manipula-
tion and uncontrolled by gambling op-
erations. (Applause.) We intend in
this bill to drive from the established
agencies of distribution the market
manipulation, the gambler, the man
who buys as cheaply as he can and
BELLS as dearly as he may. the Shy
lock Of commerce, who would rob
the widow and the orphan or filch
the pennies from the blind man upon
the street corner with as much COM
placency and unconcern as he would
evidence in ordering a meal at
downtown restaurant. (Applause)
shall not undertake to discuss the
constitutionality of the bill. A very
thorough and able brief has been filed
with the committee, with full cita-
tions of the decisions Of the Supreme
Court, which. from q casual reading
at the hands OF layman, seems to
me to sustain the cOnstitutionality of
the bill. I am going to rely for the
presentation of that phase of the sub
ject upon my colleague upon the COM
mittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Overmyer), and my other colleague on
the committee. the very distinguished
lawyer and able and growing young
statesman. the gentleman from Min
nesota (Mr. Anderson), whose services
i'm the preparation of this bill have
been absolutely invaluable. CAD.
plause)
The measure we proposed is a war
measure pure and simple, and is
predicated upon the idea of providing
for the national security and defense
by encouraging the production con-
serving the supply and controlling
the distribution of food products and
fuel, both for the uses of ourselves
and our allies. These are the ends
sought.
In attaining these, Mr.. Chairman,
the Dill establishes a governmental
control Of necessaries. which shall be
exercised and administered by the
president through voluntary arrange
ment or agreement and In cooperation
with any agency or person. This is
the most far-reaching and important
provision Of the bill, and upon it we