Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-21
10y MORNING ,oueaAL SPECIAL LEASED wrasI

10y WoRHrNa JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wIREl
Washington, April 2O.-The gov
crnments program for food control
during the war was put before con-
gross today by Secretary Houston in
la communication to the senate asking
power for the department of agricul-
ture 10 take direct supervision of food
production and distribution in the
United states and requesting a $25,-
600, 600 appropriation for putting the
plan in operation.
Authority was asked for the coun-
Gil of national defense, in an emer-
gency, to buy and sell foodstuffs aud
to fix maximum or minimum prices
As outlined to the senate, the gov
ernments plan is first to make COM
pietc survey of the cOuntrys food
supply to determine its ownership and
distribution then IL necessary to Ii
cense and control the operations of all
concerns engaged in the manufacture
OF food or feeds, agricultural imple-
ments and all materials required for
agricultural purposes Authority is
sought for The agricultural department
to take over and operate the concerns
if that course is demanded by the pub
lie interest
Power Is Required.
Giving the government power to
zeal directly in foodstuffs probably
would make its application unneces-
aary, Secretary Houston declared as
its very existence would tend to keep
conditions normal He proposed that
the government should have full dis
cretion saying it might be wise if an
emergency arose to fix prices on
single commodity.
Market grades and classes for farm
products, Secretary Houston said, is
one Of the chief needs of the country
to insure proper conditions in pro-
ducing and marketing farm products.
Authority also was asked for the
department to require OF transporta-
tion companies preference for tho
movement OF farm machinery, seeds,
fertilizers, and materials that enter
into the processes of food produc-
ton. ...
Enlargement of the market news
service of the department was recon-
mended as a means of insuring equit-
able distribution, to prevent undue
food shortage in any consuming CEN
ter and to provide against wastes due
to temporary over-supplies of food in
some communities. The department
wishes to allow the market service di-
vision to assist in obtaining re-routing
of foodstuffs to relieve congestion on
transportation lines.
Trade Commissions Aid.
In its plan for an investigation of the
present food supply, the department
has arranged for the help of the fed
cral trade commission, which with the
department was directed by President
Wilson early in the year to make an
inquiry to ascertain the amount of
food stocks and to determine if the
antitrust laws have been violated in
food production, storage and distribu-
ton. That inquiry has been halted
for lack Of an appropriation.
The two houses are expected to get
together on an amount to be appro-
priated for this inquiry and as soon as
it is available the trade commission
will proceed.
Some officials believe the trade
commission has enough power to
make unnecessary the use of extreme
legislation in regulating the control of
food, although additional powers
should be given for an emergency.
Officials of all departments and di-
visions of the government realize that
the facts of the situation existing must
be learned before remedies can be
planned. Now. no one knows how
much food there is III the country and
how it is distributed. OF certain foods
the government has exact knowledge.
hut of others it has virtually none.
No National Prohibition.
Suggestions that the government is
contemplating measures for national
prohibition during the war as means
of increasing the food supply is met
with the statement by officials that
no early action in that direction is
likely. as il is not considered necessary
at this. time. Secretary Houston al
luded to it today in his letter to the
senate by reference to European
action in restricting the manufacture
of alcoholic liquors. He made no rec
concentrations, however merely point
ing out that the European govern
ments have saved much food in this
way. Estimates he said nut the