Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-19
Tells Committee Food
Spectators Take Fifty
Millions Monthly.
QUARTER BILLION
IN FIVE MONTHS
Not Have Risen Above 80 4 Barrel
"Yet fAverases $f4"-ko Desire on
Part Of Administration to Regulate
Consumption Abroad But to Prevent
Extortion and Excess Profits.


lators have been taking $5O,000,00O a
month for the last five months-a total
Of quarter Of billion dollars-from
the American people, iierbec. G. Hoov-
er today told senators in explaining
the purpose of the food control bill.
Disclaiming entirely that the bill sets
up food dictatorship, MI. Hoover
told the senator's its purposes were en-
tirely to organize the resources of the
country and enlist the people them
selves in food administration to limit
extortion.
Cites Extortionats Prices.
THE price Of -four should not have
been over 50 barrel" he said. yet
Il averages $14. In the last five months
$250.0oo.0o0 has been extracted from
the American consumer In excess Of
normal profits Of manufacturers and
distributors"
Not . single national trade associa-
ton, Hoover told the senator's, u op-
posed to the food control bill. The
prospective food administrator went to
the capitol early today to explain the
bill informally to senators In the hope
that a full understanding of It's object
and purpose may allay some Of the op-
position.
War Opens Way. n
Chairman Gore, OF the Agriculture
and SENATOR Roed. OF Mis-
'souri, leading the opposition to the bill,
1ooS III 3f,or nvst- {SH i've -
Hoover.
The resort to these extraordinary
'powers is only because Of the war;"
asked Senator Gore.
''To provide not only more food for
the allies, but for ourselves" Mr.. Hoov-
er replied. "Even II we had not got
into the war we should have been up
against this tremendous demand from
Europe and probably driven to some
legislation to protect our own people,
Mr.. Hoover expressly disclaimed
authorship, personal interest or respon-
sibility for the bills or provisions ex-
tending to fuels, declaring he was only
interested in foods.
The provision for COMMANDMENTS
factories, mines. and other plants, he
added. would not be necessary in ad-
ministering food questions.
Not 70 Limit Foods.
Senator Reed referred to section
which he contended would permit the
government to take from cribs and bins
grains stored there In excess Of the
amounts actually needed by the farmer
and asked Mr.. Hoover's opinion res
garding the enforcement.
"As far as am concerned would
not attempt to execute 1t as far as the
present situation appears" replied Mr.
Hoover.
Mr. Hoover also said the food ad-
ministration had no desire to regulate
the consumption Of food, as Is being
done abroad, saying that would be left
to the voluntary will Of the people.
AZ to Rights Of Farmers.
Senator Gore asked Mr.. Hoover 4
he would deny the farmer the right tt
judge the amount Of crops he shoult
grow.
III the government guarantees {
minimum price," Mr.. Hoover replied
I'VE might not get the beneficial re.
suits for the farmer unless we a!st
had the power to limit imports" .
Mr.. Hoover said Possibly the bill
should be amended to give farmers tn,
right to determine their own produc
tion.'
I'VE do not propose to 80 to tn,
extent Of fixing consumers rations.
Mr.. Hoover added. except as to hotels
restaurants, ETC., regarding the amour
Of bread portions to be served and tn,
like. England did a foolish thing Il
trying to fix maximum prices, failur,
wherever tried"
do you contend that under the Bill
you can say to Senator Reed Tor In
stance that he shall eat soup bon
or . steak on certain days Z" aSke,
Senator Kenyon, Of Iowa.
Il don't think we have any aucl
right, nor should We have It," MI
Hoover replied emphatically. .but ~
should have the right to sugsest tn
use Of soup bone day and sec l
we can reach an agreement voluntar
ily." = s