New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-20

the Allies. but for ourselves Mr.
Hoover replled. Even If we had not
got into the war We would have been
mn against this tremendous demand
from Europe and probably driven to
some legislation to protect our own
people"
Mr.. Hoover expressly disclaimed au-
thorship. personal interest or respon'
sibility for the bills provisions extend
ing to fuels.
ppm only concerned with the provis-
ions relating to food" he insisted.
The provisions for communicating
factories, mines and other. plants, nc
added. would not be necessary IN ad-
ministcring food questions.
Senator Reed asked who was respon-
sible for the clauses relating TO fuel
and Senator Sheppard, of Texas, sug-
Ccstod that President Wilson desired
that authority.
at IS not fair to the President to
say that" Senator Gore interjected. 81
may say that | had several talks with
him on the bill and he expressed great
surprise at some of the things that
are in It,"
Senator Reed referred to a section
which he contended would permit the
government to take from cribs and bins
grain stored there in excess of the
amount actually needed by the farmer
and asked Mr.. Hoovers opinion regard
ing the enforcement.
CAS- far as ! am concerned, | would
not attempt to execute il, as far rs the
present situation appears" replied Mr.
Hoover.
"Then you do not intend TO take grain
from the farmers bins?" said Senator
Gore.
NO" replied Mr.. Hoover. He added
he did not intend to enforce the section
authorizing the government to take
charge of patents and formulas.
do you desire any such power?'
asked Senator Reed.
NO. / do not" replied Mr.. Hoover
adding, 81 do not think any of this
power would be assumed except when
vitality needed in order to correct exist
ing evils"
Mr.. Hoover also said the food ad
minstration had nc desire to regulate
consumption of food, as is being done
abroad, saying that would be left &c
the voluntary will of the people.
Senator Gore asked Mr.. Hoover il hi
would deny to the farmer the right II
/ Judge the amount of crops he should
grow.
"If the government guarantees s
minimum price," Mr.. Hoover replied
1--WE might not get the beneficial result
| for the farmer unless we also have thu
power to limit imports"
Mr.. Hoover said possibly" the bill
should be amended to give farmers the
right to determine their own produc
ton.
I'VE don't propose to go to the ex
/ tent Of fixing consumers rations," Mr.
/ Hoover added, except as to hotels
restaurants, etc, regarding the amour
/ like. England did a foolish thing il
wherever tried"
"Do you contend that under the bill
you can say to Senator Reed, for in
stance, that he shall eat soup bone
or steak on certain days." asked
Senator Kenyon.
81 don't think we have any such
right, nor should we have it," Mr.
Hoover replied, emphatically. But we
should have the right to suggest the
use Of a soup bone a day and see il
we can reach any agreement volun-
tarily"
Senator Reed insisted that legisla'
ton Ia not needed to effect such vol
untary arrangements, but Mr. Hoover
( said a law should authorize the food
administrator to that end.
Disclaiming entirely that the bill
/ sets up a food dictatorship, Mr.. Hoover
/ told Senators its purposes were entire
/ ~ to organize the resources of the
country and the people themselves into
a food administration. TO limit middle
mems commissions and prevent extor-
/ ton.
with righteous manufacturers and
distributors prices" he said, "the price
of -four should not have been over So
barrel. Yet it averages Sl4. In the
/ last five months $3.50, 100000 has been
extracted from the American consumer
in excess Of normal profits Of manu-
facturers and distributors"
Not single national trade associa-