The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-05-08
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.


Washington, May S.-lSpeciaL lit
has beer suggested that congress could
at once take steps to regulate the high
price Of food as a war measure. Some
leaders would prohibit speculation In
the great staples that are SO necessary
not only to the armies of the United
States and to u allies, to whom food
must be sent, but to our own people.
by passing a law which would stop
speculation In these articles.
1t is well known that the price of
-four follows the high speculative prices
that have been established in the great
wheat markets Of this country, and TO
some extent it Is true In regard to-
meats and other necessaries OF life.
Legislation Expected.
A number of men In congress have
recognized the fact that some action
must be taken Mt an early day TO pre-
vent abnormally high prices I'm foods
for the benefit of the whole country
So far no definite and reasonable prop
OdIllbtiS uHNG Dtth DlluGs DDl III ~ "A
pected that In the near future legisla-
tion will be enacted which viii author
ize control of the food products.
In nearly every city. town aud ham
let of the country II Is learned that
advances In staple articles Of food
usually follow these high prices In the
speculative markets, and at a time
like this. when SO much attention IL
given to the vital interests OF the coun-
try, Ii is expected that attention will
at NICE be turned to the subject of
food.
More Important Than Espionage.
Although both houses OF congress
gave time to the consideration OF bills
relating TO espionage. including the
censorship Of the press. 1t was found
when the test came that these meas
Tres were put aside In order to pass
the army legislation which would re
suit in raising an army for the great
war, upon which the United States has
embarked.
Next I'm importance to raising an
army are the supply of food for that
army and Its equipment with arms,
munitions, clothing and other actual
necessaries.
The government itself will not want
to be hampered In the purchase of sup
plies on account of advances which
may be made by reaso of speculation
or q desire of corporations and combi-
nations to corner food products and
reap a rich reward OF profits.
Necessary For Our Own People.
It would not be surprising TO see Inn
portant legislation along these lines as
soon as the necessary information can
be obtained and when 1t appears that
the government win be the loser IL II
Is compelled to purchase food supplies
for the army at prices beyond reason.
Naturally any legislation looking to
fair and equitable prices for food for
the army must also take into consider
alton the food supply for the nation,
for the people win be unable to meet
the heavy taxes which are to be laid
upon them II they have TO expend
every dollar they car obtain In order
to supply the necessary food for them
selves and their families.
British and French.
Owing to the manne in which the
embassies from England and France
arrived In the United States, there
was no possibility of any demonstra-
ton until each Of them reached the
national capital. Consequently we can
only judge as to the feeling of u
people as shown when each Of these
embassies was received. There could
be no doubt about the hearty reception
to the English. but the demonstration
to the French ENJOYS far exceeded I'm
enthusiasm that which was accorded
the men of our OWL language.
This can be accounted for to a large
extent because In the French embassy
was the greatest parsonage of the great
war up to the present time. Marshal
Joffre, who won world renown as COM
mander of the French forces In the
battle Of the Marine, is an ideal hero
Of the American people, and they paid
q high tribute to him when he arrived
in Washington. No doubt II General
Haig, the successful British general,
had been a member of the English en-
bassy he, too, would have been accord
ed a like demonstration.
In wartimes the people like war
heroes.
Glad to See Eiihu Root.
Few men receive a more hearty well
come In Washington than former Sen
ator Root OF New York. More partic-
ularly are the senator's glad to see him,
because 1t nearly always happens that
Root is able to give them valuable
hints and information. He is still con-
sidered one of the best informed men
In the country. He couples the infor-
nation with rare sagacity.
II hope / will look as good as you
do when ! have been out Of the senate
a long as you," remarked Senator
Warren of Wyoming.
III you will behave as well you'll
Look - good" was Roots rejoinder.