Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-08-23
.CUMMINS FAVORS
GENERAL CONTROL
Government Can't COnfine Steps
To Single Staple, Says
Iowa Senator

Iowa Senator
We will learn in time that we can
not regulate by law the price of one
staple and necessary article of CON-
merce without regulating them all -
said Senator Cummins Tuesday, upon
his return from Washington for a
vacation in Des Moines.
The reference was to the fact that
cotton and steel, as much necessities
in war time as is wheat, were not
included in the food control Dill.
IF We are to say at what price
wheat shall be sold in its various
transactions between farmer and
consumer, we should be able to Go
the same with cotton and with steel.
This is also true of coal and / expect
to see President Wilson take over all
coal at the mouth of the Mines
Senator Cummins was one of
the most insistent members of the up
per house in congress with his de-
mand that cotton and steel be includ-
ed with the food products under the
regulatory laws and also stood for
the regulation of coal prices.
Demand Is Increasing
THE coal demand has increased
because of the greatly increased con-
sumption in industrial plants" he ex-
planned THE operators of the east
ern fields are willing of course to sell
it near the mines and it does not get
very far west. The lake boats have
not carried much to the end of the
lakes and the railroads have been too
busy to haul it other than to the con-
sumers near the fields. Where gen.
orally there has been 100000 tons
stored in the docks at and around Du-
luth there are now only about $780,
600. If more is not brought quickly
before the end of the lake transport
alton season there will be great suf-
fering this winter in the northwestern
territory that is dependent upon the
dock storage supply for its winter
fuel"
Allow Fair Profits
Senator Cummins explained that
the program under which President
Wilson will take over the coal At
the mouth of the mines will allow
the operators a fair profit above the
expense of production and then will
pass on the coal to the consumer at
a price including freight, and there
fore varying according to the loca-
ton from the field, as well as vary
ing according to quality, without any
additional profit to the government.
From the food control bill he eX-
poets to see wheat selling at $225
a bushel, or very close to that figure
and remaining there. What the eff
feet will be on other grains he would
not predict other than to say that he
does not anticipate the fixing of min
imum prices on farm products. 1T
is not necessary as a stimulation of
production at this time" he said
Country Not Yet Awake
Senator Cummins deplored the fact
that the country is not yet awakened
to the magnitude of the work this
government has on its hands in prose-
cutting the war to the only end which
ii will ever recognize as a satisfact-
DRY peace.
There can be no talk of a peace
which does not guarantee that Ger
many will be forever disarmed and
removed as a menace to the future
peace of the world by its prepared
ness to start war at moments no
tice and overrun other less prepared
to end with military victory against
Germany the end is far away yet, but
if it is to come from a change of feel
ing on the part of the German people
or from other similar causes there
is no telling when it may come"
To carry on the war, according
to Senator Cummins, the people of
the United States must accustom
. he oil ~ win hn
eminent all but their living. He
said that it now costs the United
States just about twice as much to do
anything as it costs Great Britain.
Billions Must BE Spent
Great Britain is now spending
from twelve to fifteen billion dollars
year on the war. This year we
shall spend fifteen billions, and next
year we shall have to be ready to
spend twenty-five billions" he de-
clared. "Of the expenses of the war
we may count upon raising about %
per cent or less by current taxation.
The rest must be raised by the gov
eminent in the form of bond issues
and through these the people must ac-
custom themselves to giving"
The second bond issue of $1,000
100000 will not be issued so easily
as the first 5,000,000,000 Liberty
loan, in Senator Cummins' opinion.
Following the impending issue of five
billions there must be another of the
same size in order to cover the eX-
penses of the present year. he said.
OF the revenue bill, which he said
will raise only drop in the bucket,
he declared that he would have fav-
ored the elimination of many of the
smaller and more annoying taxes
such as the stamp taxes, the taxes on
transportation tickets, telephone and
telegraph messages, and the raising
of larger mount by taxation of ex-
cess profits.
Prohibition Inevitable
Prohibition is inevitable in the
near future, according to Senator
Cummins. The senate has already
passed the constitutional amendment
measure and it went over to Deem
! Der in the house only under pressure
from President Wilson. The mea-
sure will not have to be passed again
by the senate if the house passes it
as the next session and Senator Cum
minis expects it to be ratified by a
sufficient number of the states to a.
mend the constitution.
Such prohibition measures as are
included in the food bill are of no
consequence whatever, he said
THE measure merely provides that
food products shall not be used for
| the manufacture of dictilIad opir;t C