The Detroit times., 1917-04-21
UNCLE SAM
TO CONTROL
STOCK
Prices of Produce May
BE Fixed BY
Government
HOUSTON ASKS
FOR WIDE POWER
II ints AT Need For
Dry Nation in
Message

WASHINGTON. April 2l.-Fol
'uv lng an urgent appeal by secre
fary Of Agriculture Houston for leg
4lation which would enable "a,
government 20 virtually control he
food supply 81 the United States
during the period OF var and 70 IA
the prices OF food products N sgcr
action becomes necessary, leader
both houses are perfecting plan.
tor the early passage OF a hill en-
bodying the secretsry's recommeE
dations.
As result ot ths informal con.
ferences. the department OF agr
culture vas today assured that the
proposed measure would be enact
ed within a short time
In addition TO a preliminary ma.
ti0n-wide investigation Of food mar.
kets the department asked author.
ity TO license and supervise opera
tons OF all plants. mills, packing
houses. canneries. slaughter houses,
breweries. distilleries. storage
houses. all other establishments or
factories in which food or feeds.
Agricultural implements and ma.
Chinery and materials thereof. fer.
tilizers. insecticides. fungicides.
serums, toxins. viruses. and any
other articles required for agricul
tural purposes. are prepared. manu-
featured. or kept for sale or distribu-
ton.
u In case OF extreme emergency the
government would have power "a
purchase, store ana subsequently,
dispose OF food products to groups
OF people or communities organized
in some form. and to- tx maximum
or minimum prices
Discussing the general question
OF food conservation. Houston hint
ed al the advisability OF possible
regulation or prohibition OF the
manufacture OF liquors. saying
Some European nations have Sc
cured a considerable addition 20 the
feed supply By reducing production
OF malt liquors or by reducing or
prohibiting production 81 distilled
liquors n has been roughly esti.
mated that. the value Of food mate.
rails entering into the manufacture
OF alcoholic beverages in this coun.
fry IN one year. on the basis Of
prices lower than those now pre-.
waiting. il approximately S145,OOO.
COO"
The power asked with regard "a
industries connected with the food
market would include authority 70
make rules and regulations govern.
inE use and operation OF them
whenever such course may be nee.
essary In the public interest"
This authorization requested Is
the most sweeping OF any asked IN
the history OF this government. II
Is said to be far more drastic than
any power asked even BY European
DelliEerents. excepting. perhaps Ger
many.
CoincidentaIly with the agricul.
tural departments announcement
today the federal trade commission
announces II plans shortly to in.
stitute ia nation wide food price
probe. Bills authorizing this probe
have passed house and senate The
former body however. appropriated
$500 900 FOR the work and the sen
ate S25O.O0O. The bill IL now in
conference. With probability OF a
compromise soon
A. 10 organization. Houston sah .
In the federal department, state
departments u agriculture and land
grand colleges. the nation already
possesses Organized Official agen
cies which. for many years have
been actively studying all agricul
tural problems. These agencies are
all working in closest cooperation
The nation also is fortunate In
having many important farmers or
CARNATIONS. such a. tho Grange
Farmers union, American Society
% Equity, the Cleaners. Farmers
National congress. American Ma
tional livestock association, Ma
uonal Wool GroWers association
and many Others