New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-22
Hoover Suggests
100000 Fund
For Food Buying

Washington. May 2l.-Herbert {.
Hoover, President Wilson's choice for
national food administrator, has writ
ten 20 Representative Lever, sponsor
for the food bill, suggesting certain
provisions which he thought should be
in it. He points out that at least
$40 900 900 will be needed should the
government buy food supplies or guar
antee minimum food prices. The gov
eminent should have the power, he
thinks. 70 fix maximum and minimum
prices and the authority to obtain the
information necessary to carry out the
provisions Of the act.
Hoover's Letter
His letter in part follows:
with regard to the food admins
tration bill now pending ! would like
10 mention some of the points for your
consideration. .
T. IA If this bill could be given the
name of the food administration pill
il would be helpful in forming pubic
opinion, for we do not want TO give 'he
complexion Of food dictator, or 1000
controller, as this creates opposition AZ
once. This is fundamentally an at
temnt 10 secure coordination and u
wiser administration of the food sup
ply in the country for both our own
people and the Allies.
Power to Investigate
40 The bill provides no method TOT
securing information OF any kind, Sno
il will be impossible 10 take proper
action in many directions without TINS
mower. The food administration Will
want 10 be able TO secure such lnfor-
nation with regard TO different sub.
iects independently of the broad food
survey proposed for the Department or
Agriculture. because their survey must
be one of minute care and eXactness
and will be long delayed in its results,
whereas the food administration might
wish TO set up short emergency inves-
LEGATIONS. Therefore ] would sugges'
that something TO the following effect
might be introduced;
"That the President, in order to OBJ
tain information necessary for the ef-
fective carrying out of the provisions
of this act, is hereby empowered 20
investigate and ascertain the demand
for. supply, ownership OF, costs
profits and prices Of any foodstufs,
feed materials or foods, and TO re-
ouire any person to give such infor.
nation and 10 produce such books and
documents as may be necessary for
this purpose.
"8. The bill provides amply for mini
mum and maximum prices. There Is
no provision for the establi shment OF
a fixed price at which goods must De
bought either between traders or by the
Government 1t is difficult TO say at
the moment that such power would
need be exercised, but there are COM
plications Of the food situation that
might require such an Intervention
equally with the fixing Of maximums
or minimums. A fixed price is the only
positive. absolute method of eliminat-
ing speculation.
Fund of $4,000, 900 Needed
~. assume that the appropriation
mentioned under Section ~ is for over
head expenses OF the food administra-
ton. II does not appear to me that this
needs 70 De eHtraVaghnt. ana shoulu
think that at the start $4,000, 900 would
be an ample sum.
80. The bill provides for the contin-
gency Of actual purchase on behalf OF
the government but there is no pro
vision for appropriation to- cover such
sn issue or TO finance the important
question Of minimum prices II this
form of stimulation were undertaken.
I would not know what sum 10 mention
in this particular but simply to lend
strength to the Administration il would
seem that some large. round sum would
reed be provided. Otherwise any miiini-
mum guarantee or device would carry
little confidence with the country. so
that either some sum such as $40 900, 900
needs TO be mentioned or il should be
provided that ultimately return could
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