The Washington herald., 1917-10-10
Food Problems.

The food administration, of which
Herbert Hoover Is the personification.
will not advocate or oppose legisla-
tion from now on. 50 report hath 1t
among members OF Congress.
Curious members have been seeking
from time to time to secure the aid
Of Hoover and his lieutenants In the
passage of legislation beneficial to
their sections. The food workers,
however. preferred not to become in
terested in the endeavors. The inno-
cent question of modifying or abol-
ishing the oleomargarine tax. for in
stance, drew forth the reply that the
food administration could not, with
propriety." advocate or oppose legis-
lation.
II was the opinion OF some of the
members of Congress that men con-
nected with the administration of this
emergency department were decidedly
interested In the legislation when the
matter of creating such a department
was up to Congress for settlement.
Mr.. Hoover himself, In fact at that
time, was on hand to urge the pas
sage of the bill and to counsel with
those who worked hardest on the out
side and inside for its passage.
1t Is said that many members have
from time to time thought 1t would
be wise to take the tax off oleomar-
garine in order to reduce the cost of
butter automatically. They wanted
information on it, the anxious law
makers did, and they went to the
food administration for 1t. There
they were met with the reply that
the food administration could not
give the information.
An Apple . Day.
Sounds good, doesn't it-and it is
good.
But between satisfying the producer
over the price at which he likes to
sell his apples, and the price which
the apple-a-day eaters want to pay
for them, there is a chance that the
consumption will be kept down con-
siderably during the coming winter.
Nobody In the world loves apples
better than do some of the men who
help make the laws on the hill. Some
of them fairly thrive on them. Many
congressional breakfast includes an
apple as its principal portion. and
many q congressional ten winks on
a pillow" Is preceded by one or two
Of these health makers.
SO when half a dozen Congressman
looked into the price matter recently
they were amazed to find that the
supply is great this year. but that
the price is holding up too well.
There are tales galore about apple
crops In many sections having gone
TO waste through lack of labor. and
the fact remains that an apple in
the barrel Is worth a dozen on the
tree. But the price continues to keep
Its step-ladder distance. There is
distinct possibility. In fact, that II
congressional dispositions depend
upon apples to keep them sweet dur
ing the coming winter we are quite
apt to have some of the sourest Con-
gressmen in our midst we have had
in many years.
Don't think. however gentle reader
that the price of apples will not be
assailed by the Congressman while
they are home. For II will be given
keen attention, this paper can prom
ise right now. There are too many
Congressman interested directly in the
matter to let the price get a hold
on them and strangle them without
resistance. The Congressman may
return here in December without
apples. but they're not going to re-
turn without some information, at
least. upon which to predicate their
fight to secure lower apple prices.
Fer Foreign Exchange.
Establishment of foreign exchange
department In the Federal reserve
banking system has been much agi-
tated during the session which just
ended. and plans are already being
made to prosecute the campaign with
vigor when the regular session con-
venes.
The contention of big manufacturers.
who are backing 1t, is that it will be
found necessary when Uncle Sam be-
gins his trade expansions at the end
of the war. 1t Is necessary, they con-
tend. not only as far as our dealings
without are concerned, but with re-
spect as well Al to the trade which
We mean to bring into this country.
Banking facilities for our foreign
commerce. the proponents of the plan
believe. must eventually come IL we
are to have any degree Of success in
osrsnsw trsde relations with the