Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-24
pRlcE INVESTIGATION BEGUN BY
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AG.
RlCuLTuRE.
HOUSTON SETS FORTH
FOOD CONTROL PROGRAM
Secretary Says There Is No Shortage
Except In Wheat and Potatoes -
High Prices Due to Abnormal Con-
acknowledgment Suggests Some In.
dividuals May Also Be Responsible.

Washington, April 24.--Congress took
UP the food problem in public hear
ings by the senate agriculture COM
mittee AT which Secretary Houston set
forth the administration food control
program.
AT the Same time the federal trade
commission. directed by President
Wilson to Investigate with tho agri-
culture department the causes Of high
food prices, asked all state governors
to send representatives TO Washing
ton April so for a conference on state
cu~ operation in The inquiry.
Farmers Assure Support.
Before Appearing at the committee
hearing Secretary Houston put his
plans before the heads of five Of the
country's big farmers ORGANIZATIONS
and received assurances Of support
for any measures the government
contemplates for getting a frmer
grasp on food production and distri-
button. The farmers representatives
promised even to give their indorse-
ment to legislation giving the gov
ernniehr power to FIX maximum and
minimum prices in an emergency.
As its part in the governments
plans the department of labor an
nouuced during the day that it had
undertaken the mobilization Of a
million boys turnout the country as
active farm workers for the summer.
An organization will be formed to ne
knowps as the United States Boys
Working Reserve, Its operations will
he dfracteti, from Washington by Will
liam Edwin Hall Of New York. presi-
dent of the Boys Club Federation,
called here by Secretary Wilson for
the task
Hoover's Duties Defined.
Two announcements Of the day
bearing on the food situation. were a
definition Of the duties to be per-
formed by Herbert c. Hoover as chair
man of the food committee OF the
council OF national defense and the
statement that William J. Bryan would
tour the west to help spread the agri-
culture departments appeal for in
creased food production. Mt Hoover,
it was stated. viii advise as to The
best means Of assisting the allies TO
meet their food needs and viii as
sist state agencies and communities
IN meeting their food problems
Appearing with Secretary Houston
hefore the senate committee were the
representatives. ot the farmers organi-
cations Mr.. Houston ampl,ied the
letkerhe sent to the senate last week
and ANSWERED questions about food
supplies. high prices and proposals fol
minimum and maximum price fixing
legislation. He said the department d
agriculture lacked machinery TO obtain
an accurate estimate of the food sup
ply of the country at the present time
and needed legislation 10 provide It.
No Shortage Of Staples.
aside from the wheat and potato
crops there had been no indicated
shortage OF staple foodstuffs the sec.
rotary said. The nation needs for it:
normal domestic requirements abou
$40 900. 600 bushels of wheat year, ht
explained. including S0,000,000 bushels
for seeding purposes. That amount
he said. was about this years crop
Last year the nation had a carry
over Of about 17O.000,OO0 bushels o