The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-14
sl sUMTER s. o sATuRnAV mn 81 III 7o77
VOTE ON FOOD BILL.
SENATE FAILS TO MAKE HASTE
+ DESPITE PRESIDENTS PLEA
\ FOR QUICK ACTION.
Vote Agreement Secured Only After
Democrats Promised to Drop Dras-
tic Features.

I Washington, July 1O.-A senate
agreement to vote on President Will.
sons food control bill on July 21, five
weeks after it's submission to congress
as an urgent war measure, was fol-
lowed today by issuance from the
White House detailed report by Her.
bert c. Hoover declaring that both the
farmers and the public are threatened
with serious losses unless food con-
troll authority is given quickly to the
federal government.
Democratic senator's secured the
agreement for a vote only after they
had consented to strip the bill of some
Of it's more drastic features including
the stringent prohibition provisions
and the cotton control plan. So far
reaching was the revision demanded.
in fact, that all day conferences of the
Democratic steering committee and
the agricultural committee resulted in
presentation Of a substitute Of the en-
| tire measure.
The provisions of the substitute bill,
it Is expected, will be agreeable to the
president in the main. It follows gem
orally the lines of the administration
bill as originally introduced, with
power to control other industries be-
sides food and fuel eliminated. 1t
would prohibit manufacture of dis
titled liquors without provision for
government purchase of existing
stocks. and would place in the presi-
dents hands the power and responsi-
bility to decide whether prohibition
shall be extended to beer and wine.
There was no comment on Mr.. Hoo
ver's report available at the White
House. but the fact Of it's publication
at this time was regarded as another
evidence of President Wilson's dlsap-
pointment over the failure of congress
to act. He repeatedly has sought TO
impress upon leaders the Importance
fof quick enactment Of the legislation.
Any plan which can be acted OH
quickly. provided 1t embodies the ele-
mentary principles Of the administra-
ton program. is expected to have
White House support. The control bill
now has been before the senate more
than two weeks and the food survey
Dill. another administration measure.
has been held up in conference since
early in June.
With the whole legislative plan
upset In the senate, the leaders ex
pressed doubt tonight whether action
can be taken under any circumstances
before Saturday Of next week, the date
set for the vote. The substitute bill
drawn by Chairman Gore of the agri-
culture committee was taken up by
the committee as soon as it was sub
mitted and some progress made in it's
consideration.
Senator Chamberlain, who has had
charge of the bill. secured the agree
ment for a vote, stubbornly denied
heretofore by the opposition, after he
had given assurance Of radical reyis.
Ion. Later he withdrew the motion
filed yesterday proposing to invoke for
the first time the Senate cloture rule.
The Gore substitute provides that
the government control proposed shall
be limited to foodstuffs, feed and fuel
the original purposes of the legisla-
tion. and not include steel, iron, cot
ton and many other products added
during congressional consideration.
1t would authorize federal requisition-
ing and operation Of coal mines, limit
federal licensing to concerns engaged
in handling or producing foodstuffs or
fuels. authorize purchase and sale at
reasonable prices of foodstuffs and
fuels. fix a guaranteed minimum price
OF $3.50 per bushel for wheat and Gre
ate salaried board Of food admins
tratiOn. subject to senate confirma-
ton.
The prohibition section Of the sub
stitute would forbid manufacture i'm
portation or expectation of distilled
beverages during the war and would !
authorize the communicating by the
government, "if necessary" to secure