The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-08-10
A LETTER FROM SENATOR REED


A. Reed, in regard to what is consid-
cred by many as diliatory practices
that are being engaged in by Missou-
ri's Junior Senator. While this paper
. has not felt called upon to take a po-
sition in this matter, up to the present
time, we have entertained serious
doubts as to whether or not Senator
Reed was entirely in error in often
lining up on the side which, as mat
ter of fact, must be the unpopular
side of many questions.
We have also felt that the Junior
Senator was abundantly able to take
care of himself, and it occurred
to US that watchful, able and ener-
getic sentinel on guard in Congress
might aid in arousing the member
ship of that dignificd, if deficient,
body, occasionally, at least. Both
branches of Congress appear to be
drifting, entirely too rapidly for the
welfare of the American people, into
the web that had so completely
emeshed both branches of Parliament
at the breaking out of the present
war.
Among other things about which
Senator Reed has for some time past
been stirring up considerable dust is
opposition to turning the entire food
proposition over to one man, and that
man one who has spent practically all
his mature life in England We do
not know much of the real merits of
the case, but we would not be at all
surprised that the fight which Sena-
tor Reed is making against such
enormous bestowal of power upon
one man may result to the good of
this country, even if the only appar-
ent effect his efforts may have is the
arousing of the Senators and Con-
gressmen to at least partial per-
Torrance of the duty they owe to the
people, and for which they are draw
ing very fair salaries, even though
they may claim that it "does not go
far in Washington" If they would
stay more closely to their work, per-
haps their pay envelop would keep
the wolf farther from their doors.
Senator Reed sends us the following
letter, together with a recent speech
he made on the Qualifications of
Herbert C. Hoover, of London, Eng
land, for the Position Of Food Dicta-
tor of the United States" The speech
is entirely too long for publication
here, occupying eight pages in the
Congressional Record. However, the
letter presents several points in re-
gard to Mr.. Hoover that had never be-
fore occurred to The Times. 1t is as
follows:
July %, 1917.
My Dear Sir:-I am taking the lib
erty of inclosing you speech | made
en- Herbert c. Hoover, of London,
England, proposed Food Dictator for
the United States.
Of course you know Hoover helped
to organize the European purchasing
agency in this country.
Of course you know that agency
will be dominated by England.
OF course you know if the entire
American surplus must reach Europe
through that one agency then the
agency will possess all the powers of
a monopolist controlling the European
market.
OF course you know what the mo-
nopolist creates his monopoly for.
Of course you know that if the
British Government, in addition to
controlling the European market
through a common purchasing agency,
can also control the American mar
ket through a cooperative purchas-
ing agent, then it will have removed
its last rival for American foodstuffs,
and will have completely cornered the
farmers markets.
Of course you know that Mr.. Hoov-
err advised the creation of this Euro
pean purchasing agency. If you do
not know it, | can show you his tes-
timony before the Agricultural Com
mittee.
Of course you know that Hoover
was placed at the head of the Belgium
Commission by the British Govern
ment.
Of course you know that the British
Government sustained the closest and
most intimate relations with the Bel
GUM Commission and with Mr..
Hoover.
Of course you know that Mr.. Hoov-
er left this country when he was %
years of age.
VI course you KNOW he ItS rSaluSd
abroad for 20 years.
Of course you know he is connected
with a large number of British COM
panies.
Of course you know that all his
fortune is in these British companies.
Of course you know that his house
and home is in.London and has been
for practically 20 years.
Of course you know that a man who
leaves the United States when he is
% years of age and lives in London
until he is 43 years of age, and still
maintains his house and home and
business in London, probably thinks
more of Great Britain than he thinks
Of the United States. Where a mans
treasures are, there will his heart be
also.
| may be mistaken but somehow or
other it seems TO me l ought to be per-
mitted to add:
"Of course you know it is time for
the American farmer to wake up"
This letter is not sent to you for
publication, but you may use the ideas
contained in it in any way you see
ft