New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-20
Drastic Law
May Create a
Food Dictator
Bill Will Be Introduced To-
day Giving Government
Full Control
F arm Conference
Called by Houston
Serious Problem Confronts
This Country, as Well
as Allies

Washington. April 10. Legislation TO
give the government firm grasp on
food control will be introduced in Con-
gress tomorrow. Power will be asked
for the government not only 10 super
wise production, but to deal with dis
trbuton, to insure fair supply Of food
to every part Of the country at reason
able prices.
Details of the Administrations plan
have not become known, but it Is be-
lieved actual price fixing may have a
place in laws TO be asked. and that au'
thority will be requested to establish
virtual food dictatorship If that be-
comes necessary.
The food situation. officials realize
presents one Of the most serious prob
lens the country will have TO meet
during the war The United States
faces feeding not only It's own popula-
tion on a small food reserve and poor
crop prospects. but of supplying, as
far as possible. the Allies. Admins
tration heads are bending every enort
toward convincing the country OF the
Httu lbi EitFN'A
rigid food economic.
One of the important phases OF the
Administration food programme, 1t Is
believed, will be steps proposed to meet
the existing shortage of farm labor
which, it is predicted will be the most
difficult problem confronting the gov
ernment by the time that crops are
ready for harvesting. Selectiye con
+ 10 horara 10 lfknIN
The Department of Agriculture IS
building up an organization or state
and county boards through which TO
reach both producer and consumer IN
every corner of the country. In this
work it is calling on experts Tor ADVICE
and help and is reaching out through
state agricultural departments and ag-
ricultural colleges.
Houston Calls Farmers
Secretary Houston to-day named K
A. Pearson, president of the Iowa state
College of Agriculture, to serve linden
nitely as Assistant Secretary Of Agrl'
culture. At the same time he IN
vited the heads of five of the great
farmers organizations to come to
Washington Monday for a food con-
ference. Mr.. Pearson will serve with
DR.. B. T. Galloway, former Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture, whom the
Secretary called here recently from
Cornell University to act as an emer-
gency assistant. He will have particu
lar charge of the organization OF state
boards.
The farmers society presidents com
ing Monday are D. o. Mahiney, of Wis,
consin, of the American Society OF
Fouity: Oliver Wilson. of Illinois, the
National Grange; II. |. thinner. of lndl'
ana the Ancient Order Of Cleaners
G s Barrett. of Georgia, the Farmers
Union. and II. +. StOckbridge, OF Geor'
oia. the Farmers National Congress
they will be asked for any suggestions
ihey have to make regarding the sltua-
tion. and may be asked TO approve
food production and conservation pro-
oramme adopted at st. Louis last week
nv college agricultural authorities.
As outlined to-day by Mr.. Houston
Pho Department of Agriculture's plans
for meeting the food problem contem-
nlate a central organization IN the de
nar,ment. with state and county
branches. The department has per
sonnel of 1900 persons, and agrlcuit-
ural colleges and state agricultural de-
partments have as many more. Com
bined. the Secretary said, these agen'
cies exceed those of any other three
nations Of the world.
Hoover to Cooperate
food committee of the Council OF
National Defence. which will be headed
nv Herbert c. Hoover. will work with
the Agricultural Department III solving
food distribution problems; Mr
Hooyer. head Of American food relief
in Europe. is considered particularly
valusble at this time. AT the Council
Of National Defence to-day 1t was sand
be was expected to arrive soon from
Turope TO take up his duties.
Food exports, it became known TO-
dav will be discussed with the British
and French commissions coming 20
America. 10 arrive az some agreement
concerning rationing the Northern Eu,
ropean neutrals and 10 prevent food
reaching Germany through their terri
tory.
In Congress to-day the Senate Com
merce Committee approved bill to
give the President authority to EN-
6argo exports, and Representative
Ayres. OF Kansas, introduced bill to
nunish by fine and imprisonment arti-
f;1 accumulation OF food prices