The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-28

Stu0s There is In the Nati0n-TO
Organize Boys to Raise Food Crops.
Washington, April 23.-Congress
took up the food problem today in
public hearings by the senate agri-
cultural committee at which Secre-
tary Houston set forth the admins
tration's food control programme.
At the same time the federal trade
commission, directed by President VIII
son to investigate with the agricul-
tural department the causes of high
food prices, asked all State govern
ments to send representatives to
Washington, April 80 for a conference
on State cooperation in the inquiry.
Before appearing at the committee
hearing Secretary Houston put his
plans before the heads Of five of the
country's big farmers organizations
and received assurances of support for
any measures the government contem-
plates for getting a firmer grip on
food production and distribution. The
farmers representatives proposed ev-
en- to give their Endorsement to leg
islation giving the government power
to fix maximum and minimum prices
in an emergency.
. q nj tvN h. ~.
plans, the department of labor an
nounced that it had undertaken the
mobilization Of a million boys through
out the country as active farm work
ers for the summer. An organization
will be formed to be known as the
United States Boys Working re-
serve. Its operations will be directed
from Washington by William Edwin
Hall Of New York, president of the
Boys Club federation, called here by
Secretary Wilson for the task
Two announcements of the day
bearing on the food situation were a
definition Of the duties to be perform.
ed by Herbert c. Hoover as chairItian
OF the food committee Of the council
of national defense and the statement
that William ]. Bryan would tour the
West to help spread the agricultural
departments appeal for increased food
production. Mr.. Hoover, it was stated,
will advise as to the best means cf
assisting the allies to meet their food
needs, and will assist State agencies
and communities in meeting their
food problems. F.1
Appearing with Secretary Houston
before the senate committee were the
representatives Of the farmers organi-
zations. Mr.. Houston amplifled the
letter he sent to the senate last Week
and answered questions about food
supplies. high prices and proposals for
minimum and maximum price fixing
legislation. He said the department
Of agriculture lacked machinery to OH
tain an accurate estimate of the food
supply Of the country and needs Iegis-
lation to provide it.
Aside from the wheat and potato
crops there had been no indicated
shortage of staple foodstuffs, the Sec
retary said. The nation needs for It's
normal domestic requirements about
$40. 900 bushels of wheat a year.
he explained. including $4,000, 900
bushels for seeding purposes. That
amount. he said. was about this years
crop. Last year the nation had a
carry over" Of about 10000, 900
bushels Of wheat. From July last
year until March 1 last the amount
exported was about 1so, 600, 900 busl,-
els. With all these facts in mind the
secretary said it was hard to deter
mine the cause for $2.32 wheat.
Probably" he said, "there Is partly
an economic justification; partly there
is apprehension that the low prices
paid a few years ago will be paid
again. AS to what extent prices NAV
be controlled. I have no facts to ba se
an opinion.
Figures were given showing that
the production Of corn, barley, oats
rice. milk and butter, eggs and other
food products this year were creator
or at least equal to the average for the
last five years and that production
had increased
II think" Mr.. Houston said, "the
nigh prices are due to a combination
Of circumstances"
"A combination Of circumstances
and people," suggested Senator Ken.
yon.
NAV he - ron1iad tho oncra<o,.,,