Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-26
FOOD BILLS UP TODAY
NSENATE AND HOUSE
Discussion of Administration Meas.
ures Takes Wide Range-Commit-
tees Consider Hoover Program.

Congress continued to debate the ad-
ministration food bills today in both
houses.
No other subject connected with the
conduct of the war contains such an in
innate interest for the American peo-
pie. and that fact was recognized by
the nature of the discussion, which COW
ored a wide range.
The first bill, proposing methods to
stimulate production, is first under
consideration, while the committees are
chinery of a food administration to be
headed by Herbert c. Hoover
Food Bills in Both Houses.
In both House and Senate yesterday
with the food question. In the House
there was much criticism by republi-
cans of the administrations efforts to
handle the food situation, and Repre-
sentative Moore of Pennsylvania scout
ed adoption of an amendment to the
Lever bill prohibiting the acceptance
Of voluntary service in food regulation
of persons or corporations convicted Of
violation of antitrust laws. This was
aimed, 1t was said, at an organizati ton
charged with violation of the Sherman
law An amendment was also adopted
providing that in food investigations
witnesses cannot be brought from a
distance Of more than 800 miles.
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
Vrooman was criticised by Mr.. Mann
for saying that if Russia collapses. the
United States must send 100000 men
into the trenches and the people of this
country will have to grind corn and
potatoes into -four.
Possibility of Food Dictator.
The question of the possible creation
Of a food dictator, to assume entire con-
troll of the distribution of all food sup
plies throughout the United States. was
raised again on the floor Of the House
today when the consideration Of the food
supply bill was resumed Immediately
following the converting of that body.
troduced by Representative Moore OF
Pennsylvania, which was purposed to
prevent the appointment of such die
tator under the bill, leaders Of both sides
question Of the advisability of such an
appointment.
One Of the most dramatic moments in
the debate came when Representative
King of Illinois. urging the creation
of such an Office. shouted: THE war
is no more one for democracy than it
is one against starvation"
1.-THE people of the United States are
today face to face with starvation" he
said.
arguing in favor of the amendment.
claimed that If a food dictator should
be appointed. dictators in every branch
of commodities should take their places
at his side. He stated that there is no
sound basis for hysterica1 fear of a
food shortage.
Mr.. smoot Opens Senate Debate.
In the Senate the debate was opened by
Senator Smoot, who objected to the pro-
vision appropriating s4,500,o00 for the
eradication of cholera and other diseases
among live stock during the present war
emergency. He said he thought money
should not be appropriated for longer
than the fiscal year.
Senator Thomas objected to the size
Of the appropriation, saying that If
there is a time when there should be
economy 1t is now. because of the pres
ent emergency. He said he objected to
war emergency bills being made the
excuse for increasing appropriations to
meet situations not due to the war.
Senator Gore, chairman of the Sen
ate committee on agriculture, declared
| this country sustains an annual loss
of S250.000,000, due to diseases among
live stock.
''One-half of that vast amount can
be saved by efficient action on the part
Of the federal government" he said.