Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-10
FOOD DICTATOR
in U. S. WOULD
Be UNPOPULAR
He'd Die on Barbed Wire
of First Entrench-
ment.

Washington, May 10.-Herbert C.
Hoover reported to President Wilson
yesterday on food conditions abroad
and presented the allies estimates OF
lea during the coming year, outlining
measures foreign governments have
taken to conserve their supply.
On his departure from the White
House. Mr.. Hoover was asked II he
would accept a position as food die
tator. il n we're created.
II don't want to be food dictator
for the American people" he replied
The man who accepts such a posi-
ton will die on the barbed wire OF
h first line entrenchments."
Wants a Central Control.
Before the senate agriculture COM
mittee during the day Mr.. Hoover
urged that a central food department
be established. He advocated price
fixing bills approved by the admin
istration as a means Of ending specu-
lation and argued for prohibition as
a war measure.
food bills was debated in the house
today. Chairman Lever of the agri-
culture committee presenting the
| measure with the declaration that Its
prompt enactment is vital to success.
full conduct of the war. Several men,
bers from the food producing part.
OF the country attacked the bill as
giving too much power to the gov.
eminent. Representative Graham OF
Pennsylvania objecting particularly tc
provisions empowering the secretary
Of agriculture to send his agents into
places of business to obtain informa-
ton.
To Stop Speculation.
"One reason for this provision
Representative Lenroot Of Wisconsin
replied. "is to prevent speculation
This will permit the agriculture de.
partment to get Information neces.
sary for that purpose"
The bill was laid aside for consid.
GRAFTON Of the revenue bill tomorrow
but Mr.. Lever announced that he
would ask that 1t be taken up Al
soon as the evenue Is gu,
o: the way.
Despite the poor outlook for white,
wheat. the department Of agriculture
hopes the country will produce a sur.
plus for export to the allies by grow.
ing a great spring crop.
Secretary Houston said today thu
country would be unable to keep VI
its vast exports Of the last few years
but that the department saw nothinf
alarming in the situation IL sprinf
wheat does we'll.
May Have Plenty Of Wheat.
I'VE believe" he said, there will
be a great spring crop and grea'
crops Of other grain and other food
stuns. There 10 now enough whea'
in the United States and Canada t,
supply u normal needs until tn,
new crop Is at hand in July and still
leave 100. 0o0, 900 bushels for export
Considering that fact and a probabl,
big increase In spring acreage, ther,
is no for excitement.
"still the situation is grave. I
does look as II we will not have a,
much for export as in the last two o.
three years
"weather conditions appear to b,
good for spring wheat. There ha'
been plenty Of moisture. The condi
tons appear good. too, for corn"
The agricultural department 4
starting a campaign for conservation
Of the wheat supply through wide,
use Of corn In bread. The south
which now uses corn. eats now les
than four bushels Of wheat per capt..
annually. while Minnesota and othe
northwestern states, which use n,
corn for food, eat more than sev
bushels Of wheat.
To Work For Mixed Flour.
American milling laws prohibit tn,
use of mixed -four. Onicials Of tn,
department hope to save much whea
by changing milling regulations a
soon as given power under the foo,
bills.
Cold storage reports made publ,
today by the department show tina
the holdings Of cold storage eggs Il
$50 places Of business increased from
$4,000 on April l t6 1,846,0 90
on May I. Stocks were less by 81
per cent however than on May 1 las
year. Butter stocks increased durinl
the year ending May 1 about 1874 pc
cent; cheese stocks decreased thre,
per cent: apple stocks decreased 3;
Der cent.