New-York tribune., 1917-05-23
Plan to Coerce
Neutrals by u. S.
Food Embargoes
New Food Bill
Gives President
Broad Powers
Hoover Says Full Control by
Executive Is Necessary to
Prevent Hoarding

Washington, May 22.-The second OF
the Administration food bills, revised
to create an emergency agency to con-
troll distribution and sale OF the nec-
essaries of life, was introduced in the
House to-day. The first bill aims at
stimulation Of production and calls for
a general survey of the country's food
resources.
The regulatory measure was revised
after President Wilson had held .
series of conferences with Herbert Z.
Hoover, who is to be Food Admins
TRAITOR under the bill, and with Secre-
tary Houston and members Of the Ag-
ricultural committees of both houses.
1t places the widest powers of control
over necessaries of all kinds, including
price fixing, in the hands of the Tx
ecutive.
The bill includes a clause giving the
President power to prescribe restric-
tions on the use of foodstufs in the
manufacture Of alcoholic liquors.
Consideration of the food measures
will be hurried as much as possible IN
Congress. The Senate will take up the
first bill tomorrow, and the Senate
committee is expected to report out
bill similar TO the one INTRODUCED To-
day within a short time. The House
will take up the food question as soon
as the revenue bill is out of the way.
"Coyers Necessary Powers
Mr.. Hoover. who will be Food Admin
istrator under these bills, said TO-
night: -,
"The bill covers ably and intelli-
gently the powers necessary Tor tne
President TO possess in order to set up
a competent food administration. Ihese
powers. combined with the power OF
embargo proposed in other legislation,
should make it possible to eliminate
boarding, speculation and waste in dis
tribution. They are more moderate
than those possessed by the various
European food ministries, but, with the
! good will and the cooperation OF the
| distributing trades, should make sue
cess possible without in any manner
being burdensome upon legitimate
/ trade" ts'
The measure classes specifically as
necessaries food, feeds, shoes, clothing
and fuel.
Briefly, the measure would do these
things:
Make it unlawful to commit or per-
nit preventable waste or deterioration
Of necessaries, to restrict supply or dis
tribution or to enhance prices to excess
sive levels.
To Establish Standards
Authorize the President to establish
standards and grades Of foods to estab-
lish their quality and value.
Authorize licensing of manufactur-
ing, storage and distribution of foods
to prevent uneconomical manufacture
or ineauitable distribution; empower
the President to direct the disposition
of boarded stocks.
Authorize the President to prevent
boarding, monopolization or the exact
ing of excessive profits, by having the
government either manufacture or deal
in necessaries: authorize the taking
over of factories or plants for govern
ment operation, IL necessary, to provide
proper distribution and fair prices.
Authorize the President to prescribe
rules for the conduct Of exchanges and
boards Of trade, or to prohibit entirely
.heir operations il in the public in
tcrest.
To Break Food Corners
Authorize the fixing of minimum
prices to the producer to stimulate pro-
duction; authorize import duties il i'm
portations threaten operation OF guar
anteed minimum prices; authorize pur-
chase by the American government at
the prescribed minimum prices sup
plies for allies of the United States.
Establishment by the President OF
maximum prices to break food corners
or to prevent boarding and speculation.
Authorize the changing Of milling
grades or the mixing Of grains in max
ing -four.
Authorize the President to prescribe
restrictions on the use of foodstuffs in
the manufacture of alcoholic liquors.
The measure is based on the war
powers Of Congress, and operates
throughout the country, irrespective of
state lines.