Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-12
MAY REACH COMPROMISE
ON FOOD CONTROL BILL
Considerable Headway Made by Com.
mittee With Senator Cores
Substitutes.
WHOLE OUTLOOK UNCERTAIN
Several Important Features Still to
Be Worked Out Members Vir-
tually Wash Their Hands OF Trou-
blesomc Prohibition Issue.
INV A ssoc,ated Press. !

WASHINGTON, July i1.-Consider-
able progress toward q compromise on
food control legislation was made to-
day in the Senate. but several impor-
ant features still are to be worked out.
and the whole outlook remains uncer-
tain. On the floor perfunctory debate
continued on the administration bill.
which leaders virtually have agreed to
abandon, but In the Agriculture Com
mittee such Roadway was made with
consideration of Senator Cores substi-
tute measure that members said final
committee approval was withheld only
because Of minor details.
The committee: however. virtually
washed It's hands OF the troublesome
prohibition issue. voting to put into the
substitute the same regulations which
the Senate already has approved.
These would prohibit manufacture or
Importation of distilled liquors, and
would also provide for government ac-
QUESTION OF all liquors now in bond
at cost plus 10 per cent. The latter
provision. embodied in the Smoot
amendment. has been under repeated
attack both from vets and dryS since
it's adoption.
Sentiment in the Agricultural Com
mittee to-day was said to be over
whelmingly in favor of legislation
along the lines Of the Gore bill. re-
strlcting the general scope of the leg
ioidliou 10 lOOQ ana IuelS. Inc COM
mittee informally approved amend
ments extending Federal licensing pro-
visions to fuel. limiting absolute gov
eminent control to wheat and fuel, and
changing the language of the distilled
beverage Communicating section SO as
to remove technical objections to the
price-fxing clause.
LEADERS MAY SEEK
PRESIDENTS ADVICE
Whether the Gore substitute or a.
bill along similar lines will be Offer ed
finally with the administrations back
Ing is yet to be determined. 1t is
probable that President Wilson'S ad-
vice will be sought by leaders before
a substitute Is formally recommended
Among amendments to the original
bill tentatively adopted to-day by the
senate was one designed to permit ap-
pointment of food administration en-
ployees without regard to civil service
rules. but limiting their salaries to a
maximum Of $4,000. Republican lead
ers vigorously objected to employment
OF persons without observance OF civil
service requirements. Senator Lodge
protesting that any attempt to draw
political lines on persons serving the
country would be great mistake,
and Senator Penrose declaring this
another wonderful opportunity to give
sinecures to deserving Democrats"
while Republicans are conscripted into
the army.
Senator Gronna. Republican. and a
member Of the Agricultural Committee,
declared there had been no partisan
politics In the amendment to eliminate
the civil service examination. The ac-
ton OF the committee, he said, was
unanimous.
The senate voted to retain a section
providing that persons employed in
administration of the measure shall
not be exempt from military service
The Agricultural Committee had elimj-
mated this section. Senator King
charged that many young men were
seeking employment with the govern
ment In order to escape military SER
vice.