Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-06-12
Secretary of Agriculture Hous-
ton Issues Statement on
Political and Moral 0bIiga-
ton of America,
ECONOMY OF F00DSTUFFS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
Another Solemn Warning Is
Issued to People; Law Must
Step in to Regulate Supply
and Demand at Once.

Washington, June 1.-THE secre-
tary of agriculture, D. T. Houston,
today issued the following statement;
Cooperating as we are with the ma
tions of Europe In the war against
the central powers, the task OF MAIN
tanning the subsistence or the allies
is at once a political ana moral obli-
cation and a military necessity. War
Is always destructive of production
and, in peculiar sense, 1t is destruc-
tive of production of foodstuffs, since
war leads to scarcity of labor and la
Dor is one of the chief factors in the
cultivation of the soil. In addition.
the wheat crop of practically the en-
tire world has suffered serious re-
duction during the past year; and the
prospects for the coming year prom
ise little or no increase In the produc-
ton of this essential cereal.
Ono of Two Courses.
One of two courses lies open to our
as we are doing at present that is, to
permit unhampered the abnormal op-
erations of trade, rendered all the
more abnormal because of the needs
of the allies for foodstuffs from this
country. The second plan consists in
the regulation or control of our food
stuffs to the double end of mainte-
nance of the subsistence of the allies
and the protection of the food needs
and commercial interests of our own
people.
Two bills now pending in congress
provide for systematic development
of our productive forces and an ad-
equate control of distribution and
consumption, to the end of conserv-
ing for ourselves and for the allies
the foodstuffs provided through the
stimulation of agriculture.
Two Control Bills.
The two bills, known as the food
production bill' (H. r. 4188), and the
food control bill" Oh. r. 4630), are
designed to place in the hands of the
administration emergency powers and
funds adequate to accomplish the nee
essary ends. The production bill
provides for the extension of the
normal activities of the department
with view further to stimulate the
production and to conserve the sup
ply of foodstuffs. The bill is framed
as a war measure. 1t authorizes the
secretary of agriculture to make q
survey of the food supply of the ma
ton. in order to secure full and ac-
curate information regarding its
quantity, location and ownership, as
well as knowledge of the instrument
talities or agencies that own. control,
and distribute food
products. Authoritative information
as to the supply of food available In
the United States always is of the
highest importance. 1t Is imperative
in the existing emergency, when soar
ing prices create unusual motives for
speculation and hoard
ing. Intelligent increases Of produce
tion and equitable distribution depend
upon thorough and reliable knowl-
edge of the food supply. This survey
can be quickly made. 1t will proba-
bly, be followed by monthly reports,
II the war lasts, further survey may
be made after an interval of five or
six months. All this work, 1t is con-
can be done for 100000
Or $780, 900.
Wide Powers Granted.
The bill also authorizes the secre-
tary of agriculture in case of special
need in restricted areas, to purchase,
grow or otherwise procure seeds for
the production of food or feed crops;
to store them, and to furnish them to
farmers on credit or other terms at
cost. Power also is given to requisi-
ton such seeds and to fix a reasona-
BILE price to be paid for them by the
government, such price to be subject
to review by the courts. These new
powers are required by the depart
ment of agriculture to meet special
needs that may arise on
account of adverse conditions such
as storms, plant diseases or insect in
Jury, in order that production may be
at high level. 1t is al
SO necessary to protect the seed re-
serve from use or depletion for indus
rial or consumptive purposes.