Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-06-27

plies and simplify transportation.
AS to sugar, Mr.. Hoover said
American refiners are competing with
the allies in Cuba and that the pro-
posed sugar commission could keen
in touch with the allied purchasers.
the American refiners and Cuban pro-
duccrs, stabilizing and reducing
prices, as well as removing specula-
tive incentives.
I'VE feel confident consumers
prices OF sugar and -four will be re-
duced as well as others through our
cooperation with leaders Of trades"
he said. I'VE must have power to
license grain elevators, so that they
may play their part In the team work
OF the government.
Chairman Gore, Of the agriculture
committee, and Senator Reed, of Mis-
souri,. leading the opposition to the
bill, took leading part in question
ing Mr.. Hoover.
'"rhe resort to these extraordinary
powers is only because of the WARP"
asked Senator Gore.
''To provide not only more food for
the allies, but for ourselves" Mr..
Hoover replied. "Even if we had not
gotten into the war we would have
been up against this tremendous de-
mand from Europe and probably
driven to some legislation to protect
our own people,
Mr.. Hoover expressly disclaimed
authorship, personal interest or re-
sponsibility for the bills provisions
extending to fuels.
"lm concerned only with the pro-
visions relating to food" he insisted.
The provisions for communicating
factories, mines and other plants, he
added, would not be necessary in ad-
ministering food questions.
Senator Reed asked who was re-
sponsible for the clauses relating to
fuel, and Senator Sheppard, Of Texas,
suggested that President Wilson de-
sired that authority.
1T is not fair to the President to
say that Senator Gore interjected
81 may say that | had several talks
with him on the bill. and he express
ed great surprise a, some Of the
things that are in it,"
Senator Reed referred to section
which he contendcd would permit the
government to take from cribs and
bins grain stored there in excess of
the amount actually needed by the
farmer, and asked Mr.. Hoover's opin-
ion regarding the enforcement.
Mr.. Hoover added he did not in
tend to enforce the section authorize
Ing the government to take charge of
patents and formulas.
He also said the food administra-
ton had no desire Of regulating con-
sumption OF food as is being done
abroad saying that would be left to
the voluntary will Of the people.
Senator Gore asked Mr.. Hoover if
he would deny to the farmer the
right to Judge the amount Of crops
he should grow.
''If the government guarantees a
minimum price," Mr.. Hoover replied,
I'VE might not get the beneficial re-
suit for the farmer unless we also
have the power to limit imports"
Mr.. Hoover said "possib'y" the bill
should be amended to give farmers
the right to determine their own pro-
duction.
I'VE don't propose to go to the en-
tent of fixing consumers rations," Mr..
Hoover added, except as to hotels,
restaurants, ETC., regarding the
amount Of bread portions to be serv-
ed and the like. England did fool
ish thing In trying to fix maximum
prices, a failure wherever tried"
"Do you contend that under the
bill you can say to Senator Reed, for
instance, that he shall eat a soup
bone or a steak on certain days?"
asked Senator Kenyon.
81 don't think we have any such
right, nor should we have it," Mr..
Hoover replied, emphatically. "But
we have the right to suggest the use
OF soup bone a day and see if we
can reach any agreement voluntar-
ily."
Bread Cheaper in England.
Mr.. Hoover said, with all wheat
imported, bread prices in Belgium
were 60 per cent less than in New
York city, while those in England
and France are 80 to 40 per cent