Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-18
Senate to Dispose Of Food
Measure BY
July /.
STRONGLY OPPOSED
IN BOTH HOUSES
Wilson Brinas Personal Influence 70
Bear on consrsssional Leaders and
Warns Opponents 70 Prepare to Ae.
eept Responsibility II Measure 10 ps.
feated-Tax on Grain Options and
Futures Retained.

Washington, June ls.-Revision 81
the house war tax bill by the senats
finance committee promises to proceed
with less speed now that the food con.
troll legislation has precedence In the
senate Members said today they. did
not expect to complete the bill inside
uf two =-seks, =-seks and that ita considera-
tion would be delayed until the fooc
bill Is disposed Of.
Because Of tho absence OF ssvera!
senators the committee postponed ac-
tion upon Senator Penrose's motion to
reconsider the per cent profits tar
proposed for publishers. The commit
tee decided to reject amendments by
Senator Sherman. Of Illinois. advocate
ed by grain dealers. to modify taxes on
options, future and scratch" sales.
Senator Sherman proposed the tax
be levied on the actual amount OF cash
involved. The committee decided to
retain tho tax as now written In the
bill.
Debate on the governments food
control bill began in both houses Of
congress today. with IL pAsaaSo ~
July ]. the goal toward which adminsl
istration leaders will strive.
This seemed by; no means certain
however. except In the house. 6itA0
President Wilson's psssonals inlluence
has been brought TO bear on congrss-
sional leaders, to secure its enactment
by that time. a'A
Opposition to the legislation II strong
in both houses. particularly In the sen-
ate, and this may delay its progress.
While the bill was being explained
to the house by Representative Lever
as a measure which would harm no
honest business man, but would drag
Crooks and spectators into the SUM
light, letter from President Wilson
to Representative Borland was made
public, In which the president warned
opponents Of the bills that should they
defeat them they must be prepared TO
take the responsibility for food con-
ditlons and prices which were predict
ed to follow.
The great majority OF the house
greeted the opening Of debate with
bursts OF applause and approval but
the opposition was silently making
ready for Its attack.
In the senate the opposition was
ready. Led by Senator Reed. Of Mis-
ouri; Senator Smith. Of Georgia, and
Senator Gore. of Oklahoma, all demo-
Gratis, It was contended that the first
food bin already passed and now
awaiting conference with the house,
contained provisions to check specu-
lation and price fixing, which made the
second bill unnecessary.
"A certain disservice has been done
the measure by speaking OF It as the
food control BILL" the president wrote.
"The object Of the measure is not TO
control the food OF the country but to
release It from the control OF specu-
lators and other persons who seek to
make inordlnate profits out Of 1t and
to protect the people against extor--
tions which would result
TT seenH to me that those who op.
pose the measure ought seriously TO
consider whether they are playing into
the hands Of such persons. and wheth-
er they are not making themselves re-
sponsIble should they succeed. Food
stuffs will. Of course, Inevitably be
high, but It Is possible by perfectly ie.
gitimate means to keep them from be-
ing unreasonably and oppressively
high"