South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-11
HOOVER TAKES
FOOD CONTROL
Is Formally Appointed Follow
ing Wilson's Signing of
Bill Friday.

WASHINGTON. Aug. IL The
American goVernme nt today assumed
control of the country's food supply
with the signing by Pres't Wilson Of
the administration food survey and
regulatory bills.
Formal announcement of Herbert
Hoover's appointment as food ad-
ministrator was made at the white
house soon after the measures were
approved. and tonight Mr. Hoover
set forth the aims of the food ad-
ministration in a statement declar-
ing its purpose will be 70 stabilize
and not TO disturb conditions.
Every effort Will be made 20 cor
rect price abuses made possible by
abnormal times. Mr.. Hoover said.
but drastic measures will not be at
tempted until il is seen the purposes
of the administration cannot be ac-
cOmplished through constructive CO.
operation with food producing and
distributing industries.
The very existence Of corrective
powers. Mr.. Hoover declared, Will
tend 20 check speculation and price
imitation.
THE business man of the coun-
try. / am convinced says MIR.
Hoover's statement, las a result OF
many hundreds of conferences with
representative Of the great sources
Of food supply. realize their own
patriotic obligation and the solemn
| ity of the situation. and will fairly
and generously cooperate in meet
! ing the national emergency
Sweeping War Prices.
The two measures signed today
/ give TO the government sweeping
wartime powers The regulatory
bill is designed for food distribution
under direct government supervision
/ and a provision added as an amend
/ ment extends an even more drastic
/ government control over coal and
other fuels. including the power TO
| fix prices and authorizing govern
ment operation Of mines. The sur
vey bill is intended 20 encourage
/ production and gives the govern
ment authority 10 keep up con-
/ tinuous census of the amount OF
| foodstuns i'm the United States. II
will be administrated by the depart
I ment Of agriculture
Both the food administration and
| the agriculture department have
] been ready since long before the
/ bills were passed TO go ahead with
/ the work.
The food administration has as
/ sembled a staff and already is en-
I listing the country's women in a
\ household saving campaign. Mean
| while the federal trade commission,
! authorized sometime ago 10 conduct
an investigation into food prices with
special reference 10 antitrust law
/ violations. is gathering information
which it will turn over TO the two
agencies and 10 the department of
| justice.
Change Distribution.
The first move Of the food admin
| istration will be 20 bring about
| changes in the system of distribut-
! ing wheat and in the manufacture
and sale OF -four and bread. 1t will
| take up next the production of meat
and dairy foods The trade COM
| mission has investigators now in the
1 -four mills and in the meat packing
/ houses.
In his statement tonight Mr..
Hoover emphasizes the obligation the
| United States owes TO its allies in
supplying an abundance of food and
urges reduced consumption by the
/ American people.
Eve have in our abundance and
I IN our waste he says, IAN ample
I supply 10 carry them and ourselves
ever this next winter without suf-
/ fering. II we fail. it is because in
J dividual American citizens have fail
/ ed 10 see and do this loyal national
! duty. We shall invite all classes
and all trades to sign a volunteer
! pledge to cooperate with US in the
! undertaking and so become as much
| members of the food administration
/ as we ourselves are"