The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-06-07

Washington, June /. - President
Wilson today met representatives OF
the farmers of the spring wheat states
OF the northwest and assured them
that il was the intention of the ad-
ADMINISTRATION that the farmers be
protected in the marketing of their
crop and that prices should be guar
anteed that would tend to stimulate
production. He also told them that
Ne approved the idea OF using the ex'
perience of war time under the extra
ordinary powers to be granted by
congress as a guide to permanent re-
forms in the system of marketing
grain and other produce.
The farmers representatives were
granted very exceptional opportun-
ny to talk with the president a cour-
tesy due to the presidents strong in
terest at the present time in the food
production problem. While an inter-
view Of IS minutes had been arranged
the president held his visitors in
friendly informal conversation for IS
minutes until the hour set for cabi.
net meeting arrived. The visitors were
received in the green room of the
White House at o'clock this after.
NOON
The president appeared deeply i'm
pressed with the statement made to
aim by State Senator Thomas Pend
ray, of jamestown, that the farmers
OF the northwest are standing by the
government, land are making every
effort to increase their production so
as to care for the food needs of the ma
tion." He thanked Senator Pendray
with evidence of deep feeling.
1T is not the present intention of
the administration to fix definite
price for farm products" the presi-
dent told his callers. 'The minimum
guarantee" it was said, will be used
If needed to insure the farmers an
adequate price for what they produce.
The maximum price," the president
added, lis to be invoked only against
hose who attempt to board or corner
food products"
He said that Herbert C. Hoover who
Is to be federal food administrator,
mad had number of conferences with
"rniddlemen" in the grain trade and
that they professed a desire to coop.
crate with the administration in it's
afforts for economy in food product
distribution. He said that he hoped
compliance with the wishes Of the
food control Office would be voluntary
And that it would not be necessary to
invoke the penalty clauses of the bill
before congress.
That is the gun behind the door,"
said the president. I'VE hope it win
not be necessary to use it but it is a
good thing to have it there
Spokesman of the delegation told
shs president that the farmers were
especially anxious that some perman-
sut reform in the grain market
might come about through the exper-
sence gained by the food administrator
m the exercise of his powers.
He was told that sentiment was
strong among the farmers for actual
federal operation of grain exchanges
ard federal ownership and operation
OF grain elevators and other storage
Facilities used in interstate trade.
President Wilson said he was Every
much interested with this statement.
He discussed with his visitors the
feasibility OF operation or control of
grain exchanges by the government.
Vie wanted to know whether control
OF the exchanges in ordinary times
would not properly come within the
province of the state governments. 1t
vas suggested that he government
Hnquestionably would have authority
to institute federal exchanges which
would be likely as an open market to