Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-12
OUTCOME OF FOOD
BILL UNCERTAIN
Gore Substitute with "Dry"
Clause of First Bill Favor.
ed by Committee.

Washington, July 11.-Considerable prog
ress toward a compromise on food control
legislation was made to-day in the Senate
but several important features still are to
be worked out and the whole outlook re-
mains uncertain
On the floor perfunctory debate contin-
ued on the administration bill, which lead
ers virtually have agreed to abandon. but
in the agriculture committee such head
way was made with consideration of Sem
tor Cores substitute measure that men,
bers said final committee approval was
withheld only because of minor details.
The committee, however. virtually wash
cd its hands of the troublesome prohibition
issue, voting to put into the substitute the
same regulations which the Senate al
ready has approved. These prohibit the
manufacture or importation of distilled
liquors and would also provide for govern
ment acquisition Of all liquor now in bond
at cost plus 10 per cent. The latter provi-
sion, embodied in the Smoot amendment,
has been under repeated attack both from
vets and drys since it's adoption.
Whether the committees action or
that point will be satisfactory to the
Senate or will reopen the whole pro-
hibition fight is problematical Some
changes were made in the Smoot pro-
vision in order to meet criticisms re-
garding its constitutionality and com
mitteemen said they hoped that would
quiet its opponents.
Tomorrow the committee will meet
again and may give formal approval
to the measure and report it as 9
substitute for the administration bill
The democratic steering committee al.
so will hold conference on tho sub.
ject In an effort to make certain that
legislation finally Is put before the
Senate. which will command a ma.
jority when a vote Is taken under
agreement on July 21.
Sentiment in the agricultural com.
mittee to-day was said to be over.
whelming in favor Of Legislation
along the lines Of the Gore bill re-
stricting the general scope Of the leg
islation to food and fuels. The com
mittee informally approved amend
ments extending federal licensing pro
visions to fuel, limiting absolute gov
| ernment control to wheat and fuel ant
changing the language Of the distilled
beverage commodity section 80 as tt
| remove technical objections to tn,
price fixing clause.
Whether the Gore substitute or a bill
along similar lines will be offered finall,
| with the administrations backing is ye
! to be determined. 1t Is probable tina
| President Wilson's advice will be sough
by leaders before a substitute Is formal,
recommended.
| nd &c % 1-t~~ I'll
tentatively adopted to-day by the Senat
was one designed to permit appointment
Of food administration employees withou
regard to civil service rules, but limitinJ
their salaries to a maximum Of $500
republican leaders vigorously objecte
| to employment Of persons without observ
ance of civil service requirements, Senate
Lodge protesting that any attempt It
draw political lines on persons servin
the country would be a great mistake
and Senator Penrose declaring this ian
other wonderful opportunity to give sine
cures to deserving democrats while re
publicans are conscripted into the army.
Senator Gronna, republican, and a mem
ber of the agriculture committee, declare
there had been no partisan politics in tn
amendment to limit the civil service es
animation. The action Of the committe,
he said. was unanimous.
The Senate voted to retain a sectio
} providing that persons employed in az
} ministration Of the measure shall not b
, Iexempt from military service. The ayr
! culture committee had eliminated tn
section.
z Senator King charged that many youn
, men were seeking employment with II
government In order to escape militar
service.