Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-06-22
FOOD SPECULATION
LOOTED AMERICANS
Of ESQ MILLION
Hoover Tells Senate Of Profits
Made in Five Months.
SPEAKS FOR CONTROL BILL
Denies Intent to Impose Rations or
Restrict Farmers lnitiatiVe-De-
clares Russ Revolution Was
Caused by Food Shortage.

Washington. June &c. Food specu-
iators have been taking $50,0OO,OOO a
month for the last five months-a to-
tai of a quarter of q billion dollars
from the American people, Herbert @.
Hoover told senators in explaining the
purposes of the food control bill now
before congress.
Allies Need More Next Year.
Mr. Hoover outlined broadly the
question of prospective food supplies.
Despite the reduced consumption OF
the allies they will require larger
amount of cereals next year than ever
before. The allies are more isolated
IN food sources. 1t takes three times
the tonnage and double the trouble to
get Australian wheat. Crop failures
in the Argentine give no hope of re-
lief from there before next spring.
1.-THE allies are dependent upon
North America for the vast majority
Of their food imports. We should be
able to supply so per cent of what
they require. The other 40 per cent
must be made up by further denial on
their part and saving on ours. We
can increase our surplus. The situa-
ton for them next year means In
creased privation. Without an ade-
quate food supply no European popu-
lation win continue to fight and we
shall find ourselves alone against Ger
many.
Russian Revolution . Food Riot.
1.-THE Russian revolution was a food
riot and even yet that ally is tenn.
porarily paralyZed. Responsibility
rests on our government for failure of
democracy through a shortage of
food"
Mr.. Hoover cited the canning trade
as an example where the entire output
Of vegetables and fish for 1917 has
been disposed of before it has even
reached the Gamers. He predicted
further high prices. Thousands of
men, he said, who heretofore have new
er owned dollars worth of foodstuff
are now specializing in necessities.
Lower Prices Under Regulation.
Mr.. Hoover denied that the bill es-
tablishes a food dictatorship. He char
acterized the purposes of food admin
1stration to mobilize the people In or
der to carry out the advice given them
nv the government officials and to de-
centraize the functions of the admin
istration in order to centralize the
functions of the food administration
ia the various states.
A commission to take charge of pro-
duction and distribution of -four, SUI
gar, and possibly a few other principal
commodities. Mr.. Hoover said, is con-
templated.
Provisions for the government 10
buy and sell commodities will be neces-
sary for use only as to very few
prime commodities" he said. "rhe
aim is to stabilize prices and thus ell
inmate speculation. The balance
wheel for stabilizing prices is gone
We need an artificial balance wheel
BY setting up wheat commission we
can buy wheat, regulate its storage
and transportation and handle Ii IN
til exported or sold In this country
relapse on account of our not being
able to store and carry 1t, with spec
ulators securing the sole benefit and
farmers bearing the loss"
Flour Should Be SO, Is $14.
with righteous manufacturers and
distributors prices" he said, ''the
price of -four should not have been
over 50 barrel. Yet it averages $14.
In the last five months $250,O00,0
has been extracted from the American
consumer in excess of normal profits
of manufacturers and distributors"
Senator Reed referred to a section
which he contended would permit the
government to take from cribs and
bins grain stored there in excess of
the amount actually needed by the
farmer and asked Mr.. Hoover's Opin-
ion regarding the enforcement.
"As far as 1 am concerned. would
not attempt to execute it as far as the
present situation appears" replied Mr..
Hoover.
Mr.. Hoover also said the food admin
istration had no desire to regulate con-
sumption of food, as is being done
abroad, saying that would be left to
the voluntary will of the people.
Senator Gore asked Mr.. Hoover if he
would deny to the farmer the right to
judge the amount of crops he should
grow.
'H the government guarantees a
minimum price" Mr.. Hoover replied,
1--WE might not get the beneficial result
for the farmer unless we also have the
power TO limit imports"
Mr.. Hoover said possibly" the bin
should be amended to give farmers the
right to determine their own produc-
ton
I'VE don't propose to go to the ex-
tent Of fixing consumers ratiOns,' Mr..
Hoover added, Except as to hotels,
restaurants, etc, regarding the amount