South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-03
Provides for Survey, Crop
Stimulation, and Restricts
Storing of Pro-
visions.
GIVES PRESIDENT POWER TO
GOVERN GRAIN EXCHANGES
Can Order Trading in Futures
Stopped or Close the
Pits if Nee
eSSary.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press Service:
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The first
of the administration food bills, al
ready passed by the house. passed
the senate late today without a rec
ord vote. Numerous amendments
were attached to the measure. which
provides for a food survey and crop
stimulation and it was sent to con
ference where the differences will be
thrashed out while the two houses
are considering the second admins
tration measure. providing for food
control and price fixing.
The bill as finally accepted by the
senate provides for a comprehensive
survey of food resources, and for the
stimulation of agriculture and re-
stricts and speculation in futures.
The restrictive provisions were add
ed by the senate. The bill carries a
total appropriation of approximate
ly s11,OOO,0OO compared with $14,-
10000 as it passed the house.
Food Hoarding a Felony.
boarding or storage of food, fuel
or other necessities of life, in order
TO limit the supply or affect prices
would be made felony under the
senate boarding amendment, but
farmers who hold their own products
would be excepted.
The amendment restricting fu-
lures trading, written by Sen. Nelson
and voted into the bill, 81 to Il. just
before passage, provides:
IF at any time during the pen
dency of the existing war between
the United States and the German
empire, the president of the United
States shall find that dealings in fu-
lures in or about any grain eX-
change, unduly or unreasonably raise
or enhance the price of wheat or
other food cereals, to the injury Of
the people of the United States. he
may at once request the traders in
such exchange TO discontinue for a
time specified by him all dealings in
futures.
Can Close Exchanges.
I'm case such request of the pres
ident is not promptly complied with,
then he is hereby empowered TO or
der such dealings in futures, as last
aforesaid, TO be entirely suspended
and discontinued for such limited
time as he may direct, and If such
order is not promptly complied with
he may by proclamation declare
such exchange closed, and therefore
it shall be unlawful to utilize or
permit TO be utilized such building
or room as a grain exchange or Tor
any person being trader IN grain
on such exchange 10 engage IN the
business heretofore conducted on or
at such closed exchange.
ANY person violating any Of the
provisions of this act shall be pun
ished by fine of not less than $500
or by Imprisonment for not more
than one year, or both such fine and
Imprisonment"
CurtaiIs Bureau Powers.
The senate also voted to curtail
the inquisitorial power given the sec
rotary Of agriculture in the inVestl-
cation Of food resources. The house
bill would compel the attendance OF
witnesses and the submission OF
books and other records under heavy
penalty. The senate agriculture COM
mittee amended the provision so as
10 give the secretary general au-
thorization TO investigate the food
situation. making il the duty oil
any person when requested by the
secretary 20 answer all questions
necessary 10 carry into effect the
provisions Of this section" The house
appropriation of S2.522.0OO 20 pay
for the survey was accepted IN
changed.
The section authorizing the gov
eminent 20 sell seeds TO the farmers
also was amended so as 70 provide
that sales be made for cash only
The power 10 compel persons having
seeds at their disposal 20 furnish
them to the government was greatly
curtailed and the appropriation car
ried for the work was reduced from
s5.77S.OOO 10 s2.5OO, 900. The house
appropriation for eradication Of live
stock diseases was eliminated and
an appropriation Of $sSO.00O was
added 10 stimulate live stock produc-
ton.