The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-05-10
BILL TO FIX PRICES.
Would Empower President to Hold
Down Most of NeceSSarieS.

| tiOn the production. distribution and
prices of food and other necessities
during the war was asked of congress
today by the administration.
In a sweeping bill introduced with
the administration approval by
Chairman Lever, of the house argi-
cultural committee, it is proposed to
empower the president to take these
measures whenever in his opinion the
national emergency shall require:
To Fix Prices.
To fix maximum and minimum
prices for food. clothing, fuel and
other necessities. and the articles re-
qured for their. production:
To prescribe regulations to gov
ern the production of these commodi-
ties and if necessary to requisition
the producing factories. mines or
other establishments:
To compel holders of necessities to
release them in amounts insuring
equitable distribution;
To regulate exchanges in such a
way as to eliminate market manipu-
lation:
To compel railroads to give prefer
ence to the movement of necessities:
TO levy such importation duties as
he finds necessary to prevent eXces-
sive "dumping' of foreign products;
and
To impose limitations or prohibi-
tions upon the use Of grain in the
manufacture of liquor.
Standard Food Grades.
In addition the secretary of agri-
culture would be empowered to es-
tablish standard food grades. to IL
cense and control the manufacture,
storage and distribution of foods. to
prescribe the percentage of -four to
be milled from wheat and to regulate
-four in the making of bread and
other foods
Mr.. Lever declared there was moth
ing in the measure to disturb legiti-
mate business activities because 1t
is hoped that the mere conferring of
the more extreme new powers will
be sufficient without it becoming
necessary to exercise them.
1t is known that officials hold the
same view.
Supplemental Measure.
The bill is supplemental to the ad-
ministration food measure introduced
in the house earlier in the week,
providing for survey of the coun-
try's food resources and comforting
certain powers to prevent food spec
ulation. This measure was ordered
favorably reported from the agricul-
tural committee today after the COM
mittee had reduced the appropriation
carried from 100000 to approXi-
mately s20.O00,00O and had elimi-
mated a section authorizing the Sec
retary of agriculture to order the i'm
mediate sale of any food in such con-
dition that unless promptly disposed
Of it will become unfit for use. The
section will be incorporated in COM
ing third measure which is to confer
broad powers on the council Of ma
tional defense.
Mr.. Lever expects to get both OF
the bills up for action in the house
next week.
For Period Of War.
The new BILL" said Mr. Lever,
IDEALS with all the necessaries OF
life, including foods, feeds. shoes.
clothing, fuel and articles required
for their production. The measure
is intended only to meet the present
emergency. 1t is limited to the
periods of the war and sufficient
time thereafter for readjustment. 1t
is based on the war clauses of the
constitution and is applicable
throughout the country, irrespective
of State lines.
The purposes are to stimulate
production, to reduce waste, to clear
the channels of distribution, to pre-
vent boarding, to assure fair prices,
to eliminate injurious speculation. to
prohibit evil practices on exchanges
and to protect the public against ex-
tortion.
To Prevent Holding.
Power is granted to compel hold
ers to disgorge and put on the mar
ket necessaries held by them in eX