The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-14
SOlOnS Call Food Gamblers "Pi.
rates" and "RObbers."
Hint at Lamp Post as People:
Bar of Justice.
CLOSE BOARDS OF TRADE
Thomas of Colorado Puts Dras-
tic Motion to Senate.
Reed Says Exaggerated COndi-
ton Driving Price Up.

Washington. May 1.-THE unre-
strained wrath of the senate was pour
ed down upon food gamblers and
Spectators today in one of the most
remarkable scenes in the history of
the chamber
Pirates" and robbers" were terms
frequently applied to those who profit
by speculations in food in the hour of
the nations need. The likelihood of
food spectators being hanged to lamp
posts was limited at.
The storm broke when Senator
Thomas, Democrat, of Colorado, pro-
posed as an amendment to the admin
istration espionage bill provision 20
suspend for the duration of the war
all boards of trade. stock exchanges or
chambers of commerce which permit
speculation in futures in food. Sena-
tors who opposed it did so on the
ground that the object should be ac-
complished in another way, and some
thought it would stifle commerce. The
great maiority of opinion. expressed IN
terms which for force and range of
adjectives had seldom been heard IN
the senate chamber, favored drastic
action to stop food gambling and spec
ulation which makes artificial prices
and threatens the nation with the pinch
Of hunger. Senator Lewis. Democrat,
said he thought legislation such rs
proposed by Senator Thomas would
work injury to many and should not
be passed without elaboration.
Chicago senator Objects.
IF this is adopted" said he. you
will force the grain in the bins into
the hands of those who fear at present
that day of desolation and darkness
that some members of the administra-
ton unnecessarily are holding out to
the country l believe in the need of
economy. but not in parsimony. If
the people understand the truth they
would not be holding grain out in fear.
timidity and terror What is needed
at this hour is a provision of law auth
orizing the president on evidence sat
isfactory to him that food is being I'M
rily held. to seize such food
and order its distribution under the
proper branch of the government with
compensation to the owner and just
market price assured the people"
II think" said Senator Reed, Dem
ocrat of Missouri, that means ought
to be taken to stop specializing in food
stuffs within the limits of powers of
congress. But ii is a wonder to me
today that we do not have "a wheat
and 40 cent cotton and SIS or Sc po-
tatoeS and beef fifty or sixty cents
pound. There never has been in the
history of the world an agitation that
parallels the present one. We are
practically told that the United States
is on the verge of starvation. and that
the world without is starving and that
when next winter comes the wolf of
hunger will be bowling at the door of
every human being in the world
When that information is put forward,
men are astonished that the prices
paid for foodstuffs mount. If plan
had been conceived to make them
mount the one adopted could not have
been improved upon, by the ingenuity
of man or the devil himself.
America Not Near Starvation.
1.-THE thing to teach the American
people now is that America will not be
starved that she can't be starved and
that the consequence will be to lessen
the conditions that confront us and
poster us"
Food spectators We're denounced as
robbers by Senator Kenyon of Iowa,
who recommended, however, that the
food speculation measures be held
over to be considered with the food
bill.
IF congress can't stop this robbery
and that is mild term for 1.-THE
people will find some way. if they have
TO make use of lamp posts'' he said.
Senator Thomas declared he did not
doubt there was plenty of food in the
country but that the pressing question
was legislation to enable the ordinary
man to get his share.
You may form an army to beat
the enemy" he said. but there may
be domestic questions of far more i'm
portance. You can't accustom the
people to starvation; you can't accus-
tom them to living beyond their in
comes.
He said he wanted to curb the spec
ulator who would coin the hunger of
women and children into dirty dol
lars"