The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-06-21

This Week, But Senate 10 Expected
70 Protrset Debate and Delay Enact
ment.
Washington, June 19.-Determined
opposition has been disclosed to the
second administration food bill-for
governmental control of foodstuffs and
other necessaries-by the opening of
debate on the measure in both branch
eH ~ congress. So persistent is this
opposition, particularly by a certain
group of senators. that II threatens to
prevent its enactment by July 1, as
urgently requested by President VIII
son.
No food control legislation will be
enacted II the men who have been
making extortionate profits out of
foodstuffs since the European war be-
gan and who have been reaping q par
ticularly rich harvest since the Unit
ed States entered the war can have
their way. There is some honest DIFF
ference Of opinion as to whether the
administration food control bill is
wise in all its provisions, but It is
not this difference Of opinion that
threatens to hold up all food legsla-
ton. The stumbling block is the food
lobby which has peen gathering here
for several weeks and which is now
among the most formidable lobbies
ever present in Washington.
Passage Of the bill by the house late
this week is confidently expected by
administration leaders. But advocates
as well as opponents in the senate be-
lieve the debate there will be pro-
tracted for several weeks, and unless
the president adopts some extrsor-
dinary steps to hasten action, the law
hardly can be enacted in time to set
MP the food administration before
harvesting begins.
Administration supporters privately
expressed fear Of a senate flibuster
They are prepared, II necessary, to
invoke for the first time the senate's
new anti-f1libuster rules.
Hoover Meets Committee.
In an effort to allay senate opposi-
ton II was arranged to have an in
formal conference today between SEN
by the president to be food admins
traitor with immediate charge of ex-
ercising the powers sought. At the
suggestion Of Senator Ransdell, Mr..
Hoover was invited to appear at q
public meeting of the agriculture COM
mittee and explain the legislation. A
general invitation to all senators to
attend and question Mr.. Hoover was
extended
In the initial discussion OF the bill.
administration spokesmen urged that
mobilization OF Americas food power
in the war. demanded radical steps
and vesting Of new and wide powers
In the president. The opposition pro-
tested that a dictatorship and inter
ference with business and Individual
rights were proposed, and questioned
the constitutionality Of the legislation.
Both houses made the measure their
pending business with the purpose OF
keeping the legislation continuously
under discussion until disposed Of, ex-
cluding virtually all other business.
The house held the first Of a series OF
night sessions to expediate the debate,
and night sessions may be resorted to
later in the senate.
There was but scant attendance of
member in either branch, about seven
ty-five to 100 staying on the floor in
the house. and an average Of less than
thirty in the senate.
Senator Chamberlain OF Oregon.
chosen to have charge Of the bill In
the senate, urged II as a war neces-
sity, declaring governmental control
of food as essential as men and muni-
tions. Senator Sheppard of Texas.
Democrat, and Senator Kenyon OF
Iowa, Republican. also spoke In behalf
Of the bill.
President Wilson in his demand on
the congress for food legislation 10
being backed by most of the state
governors, and the outlook for the
legislation is hopeful In spite OF the
work of the lobby.