The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-20
PUSHING FOOD BILL.
PRESIDENT WILSON PREVAILS
UPON SENATE LEADERS TO
EXPEDITE CONTROL
MEASURES.
vigorous and Probably Long Drawn
out Opposition Expected In the Sen.
ate.

ate.
Washington, June 15.-President
Wilson prevailed upon senate leaders
today to expedite the administration
food control bill, which is to be taken
up in the house Monday and which
the president wants enacted by July
l, before harvesting begins.
Senator Martin, Democratic leader,
and Senator Gore, chairman of the ag-
ricultural committee, summoned to the
White House for a conference. re-
turned to the capitol prepared to bring
the bill up for action as quickly as
possible. The understanding has been
that the senate would not consider
the measure until after the house had
disposed Of it.
Later Senator Chamberlain, senior
Democrat OF the agriculture commit
tee, introduced the bill for formal ref
erence to the committee, which was
called by Senator Gore to meet to-
morrow. with a view to an immediate
report. Senator Gore, although he op-
poses many of its provisions, proposed
that the committee bring out the bill
tomorrow without amendment or rec
Ommendation, in order to place It in
position for immediate debate.
In order to. give the food measure a
clear track senate leaders tonight
considered displacing the pending
railroad priority shipment bill, OF
adding the latter bill as an amendment
| because Of it's relation to control OF
foodstuffs transportation. Such an
arrangement might get debate under
way in the senate Saturday.
After his conferences with Senators
Gore and Martin, the president called
Senator Kenyon, Republican, and Sem
ator Hollis, Democrat, to the White
House to further explain his reasons
for believing prompt action impera-
tive
Senator Gore sought an agreemen,
in the committee to his plan to repor,
the bill without discussion, but the
members are said to be closely divided
upon the question.
After his White House visit Senator
Martin talked with Republican leaders
No formal arrangement was reached
but both Democrats and Republicans
said the presidents desire for early
consideration of the legislation prob
ably would be met.
Senator Simms, chairman of the
finance committee, said he would not
object to taking up the food bill ahea d
Of the tax bill. Passage Of the reve-
nue. measure after July 1, he said
would not cause any serious embar-
rassment and the delay would give
the committee more time for revision
Senator Martin said the tax bill
when ready, would have precedence in
the senate, but that the food bill could
be considered before the revenue
measure is ready and, probably, at in
tervals even while the revenue bill is
before the senate.
Vigorous and probably lengthy op-
position in the senate to the food
measure is assured. When advised OF
the new plans urged by the president
senators opposing the bill said it
would be adequately" discussed. Pro
hibition and many other questions also
promised to be added as retarding in
fluences
Senators Hollis and Kenyon told the
president there is greater need for the
speedy enactment of food control leg
islation than there is Of passage of the
revenue bill, and emphasized their ar
guments to pointing to the success OF
the liberty loan that for the next few
weeks at least there is no urgent need
for taxing legislation.
The food situation was discussed to
day by the cabinet and the opinion
was general that the administration
measures would go through, DESPITE
the fight that is expected against
them in both houses.