Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-18
ANOTHER DAY IN SENATE
IS SPENT IN CRITICISM
Defense Council and Other Executive
Bodies Draw Fire OF Food
Bill Debaters.
GRAFT WARNING is SOUNDED
Michigan Man Says "Host Of Vul-
lures Are Flocking to Washing
ton" to Secure War Contracts.
Compromise Measure Is Drawn.

WASHINGTON, July l7.-Sentiment
in the Senate toward compromising dif-
fercnces on the food control bill ap-
parently crystallized to-day on a group
of amendments drawn up at joint con-
ferences of Democratic and Republican
leaders.
While on the Senate floor another
day was spent in criticism Of the De.
Tense Council and other executive
bodies. a reprint OF the bill was made
embodying the leaders proposals
which are expected to remove many
basic objections and develop general
support. Principal revisions recon-
mended by the leaders are Limitation
Of government control OF foods. feeds
and fuels. Including kerosene and gaso-
line: creation of a special board of food
administration of three salarIed COM
missioners instead OF administration by
an individually: fixing by Congress of a
basic minimum price of Sl.75 per bushei
for No. l Northern wheat; extension OF
government licensing to elevators
farm machinery. factories. packing
houses. coal mines and dealers, ferti-
lizer producers and wholesalers of such
products. and government purchase and
sale. to secure reasonable prices of fuel
wheat. -four. meal. beans and potatoes
only.
Voting on these proposals and other
amendments is expected to begin to-
morrow Among the hrst to come up
probably will be that restricting sale to
the government OF products in which
the volunteer advisers OF the DafAnss
Council are personally interested. Many
Senator'S during to-day's debate urged
legislation to prohibit such govern
mcnt representatives from selling their
own wares to the government.
McKELLAR CRITICIZEs
CONTRACT POLICY
Senator Mcclellan. Democrat Of Ten
nessee. made long speech criticizing
the contract policy OF the councils ad-
visory body. The per cent commits
sions for supervising construction Of
army cantonment camps. he declared,
will milk the government" of about
$500 for each Of the sixteen camps
He charged that inside rings domi-
nate contracts for the army. let with
out competitive bids.
World -old standards OF honesty and
ethics. declared Senator johnson, Of
California. Republican. require that
government representatives shall not
serve in dual capacity-for them
selves and the government.
Senator Townsend. of Michigan. an
other Republican, warned that "a host
OF vultures are focking to Washing
tom to secure war contracts, and that
the opportunity for grafters. If not
eliminated. might develop a public
scandal.
Shoe contracts were the basis of
criticisms by Senator Kenyon. of Iowa.
who said men were using influence to
get contracts. and advocated action
prohibiting government representa-
tives from contracting for their own
products.
During the days debate Herbert
Hoover, the food administrator, also
was criticized by Senator Gore and
warmly defended by Senators Cham
berlain and Myers. Senator Weeks at
tackled the Shipping Board and the
Fleet Corporation for not Fastening ac-
ton on the shipping proer m.