The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-06-19
OPPOSITION DEVELOPS
TOF(OD CONTROL BILL
Group of Senators Particu-
larly Antagonistic to Pas
sage of Measure.
HOOVER is CALLED
Chairman of Board Will Ap-
pear Before Agriculture
Committee Today.

Washington, June IS. - Opening OF
debate today in both branches of con-
gress on the second administration
food bill-for governmental control of
foodstuffs and other necessities-dis-
closed determined opposition, particu-
larry by a group of senator's. which
threatened to prevent Its enactment
BY July /, as urgently requested by
President Wilson.
Passage Of the bill by the house late
this week is confidently expected by
administration leaders.
Administration supporters privately
expressed fear tonight of a senate
filibuster They are prepared. If neces-
sary. to invoke. for the first time. the
senate's new -filibuster rules.
In an effort to allay senate opposi-
ton, it was arranged today to have an
informal conference tomorrow between
senators and Herbert G. Hoover.
chosen by the president to be food
administrator with immediate charge
of exercising the powers sought. Mr..
Hoover was invited to appear at a
public meeting of the agriculture COM
mittee tomorrow morning before the
senate convenes and explain the leg
islation.
In the initial discussion of the bill,
administration spokesman urged that
mobilization of Americas food power
in the war demanded radical steps and
vesting Of new and wide powers in
the president. The opposition protest.
| ed that a dictatorship and interference
with business and individual rights
We're proposed and questioned the
constitutionaliry of the legislation.
Congress to Keep at It.
Both houses made the measure their
pending business with the purpose of
keeping the legislation continuously
under discussion until disposed of. The
house held the first of a series of
night sessions to expedite the debate,
| and night sessions may be resorted to
| later in the senate.
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon,
| chosen 10 have charge of the bill in
| the senate, urged it as a war neces-
! sity, declaring governmental control
| of food as essential as men and mu-
| nitions. Senator Sheppard of Texas,
! Democrat. and Senator Kenyon OF
| Iowa, Republican, also spoke in be-
| half of the bill.
| IN the mouse, Chairman Lever, or the
house agriculture committee, also
empha sized the necessity of the legis-
! lation. He said the president could be
trusted with the powers proposed and
that they would be invoked against
| crooks" and not against legitimate
business interests.
Opposition in the senate was voiced
| by Senators Gore. chairman of the
agriculture committee; Reed and
| Nardaman, Democrats, and Gallinger
| Republican.
In the house opposition was led by
| Representatives Haugen of Iowa, Re
publican, and Young of Texas, Demo-
crat Both declared the legislation is
unnecessary and unwise and aimed al
most solely at the rural producers.
Opposition senators complained over
an alleged delay of the house in the
passage of the first administration
food bin, designed to stimulate pro,
duction and also prevent boarding and
| speculation. They said the production
bill and the Sherman antitrust laws
would be ample to cope with specu-
| latorS.