The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-19
President Declares Its Oppo-
nents Should Be Held Re
sponsible For High Prices
YOUNG, TEXAS, MAKES
DEMAGOGlc APPEAL
Declares F God Controller Would
Take Charge of Humblest
Farmers Products--Gore Re-
signs Control of Measure

Washington. June 1S.--That
much-1tticized bill creating the
Office OF food controller began It's
stormy passage through congress
today. Determined attack was d.
rected against It In the house.
In the senate was presented the
unusual spectacle Of the chairman
OF the agricultural committee say
ing he could not conscientiousiy
support the measure.
Nevertheless, the administra-
ton Is behind the bill with all Its
might. President Wilson address
ed a letter today to Representa-
tive Boriand. making II plain that
he would hold congress reSpou-
sible for any unheard-of rise In
food prices. The house will hold
day and night sessions until the
bill Is disposed of.
Hoover TO Address Senators.
So anxious Is the ministration ia
pass the measure and so DESTROYS OF
tmpressing upon congress the need OF
the situation. that Herbert C. Hoover
presidential choice for food control
Ter, will personally address tho sem
ators tomorrow morning AZ an in
formal meeting II is predicted that
he will not only explain the bill t4i
Will submit 10 searching questions.
In the house. Lever Of South Caro-.
lima, chairman ~ the agriculture
committee and author Of the meas
ure. defended 1t. Young. Of Texas
mcmher Of the committee. led this
attack aga INST II In the senate Gore
Of Oklahoma, reunquished care OF
the measure TO Chamberlain. OF Ore
ron HaFduitk. Of Georgia. criticized
The co9stitntionantv of the measure
termi' L in some respects the mos
dangerous bill ever presented to the
American people"
Lever Defends Measure.
When the debate in the house he.
gan Mr.. Lever said.
We Intend 10 drive from the es,
Ia hlished agencies Of distribution the
man who buys as cheaply as he car
and sells dearly as he max. tAe
Shylock OF commerce who would ROT
the widow and orphan. or flch pen
MES from the blind man with a:
nfiict. nncnncer1 a ne would Evidence
in ordering a meal at a downtown
restaurant"
No Honest Business Will BE Hurt.
mo honest business man need be
bill" declared Mr.. Lever, 1T is the
crook that shall suffer in the sun
slight and II is the unpatriotic. self
Al and greedy that we are after
IT admit the hill is unprecedented
and remarkable. But we are engaged
IN m unprecedented and remarkable
war that Is shaking the foundations
Of the world We must either confer
this so-cailed autocratic power upon
.he constitutional head OF our gov
srnment or we must be prepared &c
have this power assumed by the
kaiser.
THE utter chaos that has character
,red marketing and the distribution OF
the necessities OF life during the past
few months the hysteria which II
Srivtng men 30 hoard. the Wild specula
tion which mas drawn wheat up or
down 80 cents In one day. can all be
attributed the lack 81 control of the
situation at the hands Of someone with
power and complete view Of the
necessities, !"
Young, OF Texas, said to the house;
/ Term this food administration. II you
wish, but an attempt is being made
10 establish a food dictatorship in this
country. A food dictator would take
charge OF the property Of every hum
BILE farmer in the land who IL strug-
ring to exc out an existence for him
self and his family.
.sThe world faces food shortage,
"a every farmer knows. IT is idle to
pretend that the American farmer
needs guidance 70 stimulate food pro-
duct.or. Every fsSoar sees in the
present condition great opportunity
But you must let him alone; don't
hamstring him.
MI Vi.
Anderson, of Minnesota, who made
.threc chief points. saying first, II the
Allies were cut off thirty days from,
American food supplies they must de-
clare peace: second, II the allies and
neutrals continued TO have unimpeded
recourse TO American food supplies
this country may starve; third, that II
abnormal conditions are not remedied
there NAV be social disturbances with
In the country that would hinder par
.icipation in the conflict
Senator Hardwick gave notice that
he would ask the senate to vote on a
point of order which he will raise
against the bills constitutionality, AT
the appropriate time"
Harrhsick against Measure.
in some respects" said Mr. Hard
swick, "this is the most novel. the most
sar-reaching and the most dangerous
measure ever presented TO free peo-
ple. ! hope before the debate in this
senate is ended the American people
will have gained. a very different i'm
preston of the measure than that
which is being SO assiduously circu-
lated In the press"
Senator Pomerene, of Ohio. and
Hollis, OF New Hampshire, defended
-4hA constitutionality of the bill de-
claring that its main purpose was nov
10 raise revenue and that its taxation
features were merly incidental.
II cannot support the bill" said
genator Gore. land I cannot vote for
Il unless II Is materially amended, but
81 believe that it should be In friendly