The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1917-08-15

WIN ehS LAe'f ioh VI thS NcN-
enue Measure This Is the Last
Important War Legislation Be-
fore Congress--Fight Against
Act Occupied 100 days.
vailed upon the senate and house COZ.
ferees to eliminate senate amend.
ment. inserted by two overwhelming
votes of 63 to 10 and 60 to 90.
Comprehensive powers are given in
the bill, passed as war measure, to
assure adequate supply and equitable
distribution of the named necessaries,
to facilitate their movement, to pre-
vent, locally and generally. scarcity.
monopoly, boarding, injurious specula.
ton, manipulation or private control
affecting supply. distribution and move.
ment
Smoot Amendment Edited.
Other provisions of the bill fix
minimum price for wheat beginning
next year at not less than 50 per stand
ard bushel; provide for coal and coke
price fixing, communicating and gov
eminent operation of factories and
mines producing necessaries; for gov
ernment purchase; sale and requisition
of various necessaries and for federal
licensing of agencies producing and
handling them.
The prohibition provisions. compro-
mise for bone dry" prohibition pro-
posed by the house, prohibit manufac-
ture and importation of distilled liquors
for beverages during the war, author
ize the president to suspend manufac.
ture of malt, fermented and vinous
liquors or to limit their alcoholic CON
tent and authorizes and directs" the
president. in his discretion, to COM
mandrer distilled beverages in bond or
stock when necessary for Redistribution
into alcohol for military or other public
defense purposes or tn conserve food
stuifS
Congressional leaders understand the
president does not intend to comman-
deer distilled spirits or to curtail their
consumption unless military exigencies
require. The 50 called Smoot amend
ment directing federal purchase of dis
titled beverages in bond ut cost plus
10 per cent profit. was eliminated
Will Control Coal.
Sweeping powers to control coal
prices also are provided. The bill au-
tbOrizes the president, through the
Federal Trade Commission or other
agency, to fix coal and coke prices at
the mines and among wholesalers and
retailers, to regulate methods of sale,
shipment and distribution among deal
ers and consumers, and to requisition
and operate mines or other coaling IA
cilities.
A system Of federal licensing of all
agencies related 10 the production,
transportation and distribution of the
designated ncccssaries also il prOvid-
ed, and rigid provisions against hoard
ing. speculation and monOpoli liza ioL es-
tablished under heavy penalties. Farm
ers are exempted from the boarding
provisions.
The bin also authorizes the prcsi-
dent to requisition for military or pub
lie defense needs all necessarics named
and, 10 guarantee reasonable prices to
producer and consumer. to buy and sell
fuel. wheat. -four, meal, beans and po-
atoes. The bin also authorizes the
president to requisitton and operate
any factory, packing house, mine or oil
pipe line at just compensation. for
or public defense uses.
Regulation OF grain and other food
stuff markets to prevent injurious
speculation or undue enhancement of
prices. is another power conferred upon
the food administration through the
president.
Another ciu ise, inserted by the SEN
ate after much criticism of alleged sale
by members % the advisory commits
sioners Of their own products to the
government. prohibits federal agents
from soliciting or inducing contracts /
with the government in which they are
Interested
Herbert Hoover and his aids are es
tablishcd mt their neW quarters in the
Hotel Gordon. Washington. and Mr. |
Hoover soon will make public the
procedure which he has decided upon
Enough is known Of Nil lloover's pur-
pose to warrant the statement that he
Is not going To he content with any
merely perfunctory enforcement of the
law.
1t Is palpabe that If the law is car
rcd out with the exercise of even half |
he authority conferred by congress the
Hoover food administration soon will
ind itself battling against the tremen-
lOus opposition of the great special in
ercstS which 50 long have fattened on
God distribution and manipulation.
Also It is obvious that If the public Is
o get relief the opposition of these in
ereSts must be expected. and II would
Je waste Of time to try to get along
With them peacefully.
Public Must Help Out.
Mr.. Hoover is going TO do a great