New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-20

no hope of relief from there by next
spring
The Allies arc dependent upon
North America for the vast majority
of their food imports. We should be
able 70 supply 90 per cent OF what they
require. The other 40 per cent must
be made up by further denial on their
part and saving on ours. We can IN
crease our surplus. The situation Tor
them next year means increased ptl-
walton. without an adequate food sup
nlv no European population VIII con-
tinue to fight. and we should find our
selves alone against Germany.
"The Russian revolution was tood
riot. and even yet that ally IS tenn
porarily paralyzcd. Responsibility rests
on our government for failure OF DC
mocracy through shortage OF 1000,
Turning TO domestic condltohs' MI
Hoover said this country mas oeeh eN,
periencing unprecedented prices anu
rampant speculation eltlng now n,iu-
dlemen and all other persons III the
distribution processes have peeh por-
chasing Increasing supplies to avert IN
dividual shortages.
Spectators iourlsn
Mr.. Hoover cited the canning trade
nc an example where the entire output
of vegetables and fish for 1917 has been
d;snosed of already, before i has even
ro.cbed the Gamers. He predicted
frrtber high prices. Thousands oil
mon. he said, who heretofore nave
never owned a dollars worth OF 1000
stuff are now specializing IN hecessI-
ties. oors,,,,-
crs in countries where 1909 aui'.h,,
tra.ion is now in effect are lower thar
,hcee now prevailing in the united
S.stes" he said. ain England the price
Of bread is even 2J per cent below inc
nrice we pay. believe that unless
sor,e administration Of our FOOD Is
taron we will look back at these prices
as being moderate" -,
Mr.. Hoover denied that the blil
establishes food dictatorship. Tic
cd the purpose of food administra-
ton vas 10 mobilize the people IN or
dor 70 carry out the advice gwen them
nv the government officials and to de-
centralize the functions OF the ADMIN
;e,ration IN order TO ccntrallzc tne
functions of the food administration
in the various states.
A commission TO take charge OF pro-
duction and distribution Of flour, sugar
and POSSIBLY a few other prlnc'pai
commodities. Mr.. Hoover said, is Oe-
ing contemplated.
To Stabilize Prices
provisions for the government 70
buy and sell commodities VIII DC nee
essary for use only as 20 very Ie"
=, coib he
aim is to stabilize prices, and thus
oi;r,inatc speculation. The balance
wheel for stabliznG prices is gone
We need an artificial balance wheel
Rv setting UP wheat commission we
can buv wheat, regulate its storage and
transportation and handle 1t until eX-
rorted or sold in this country. If we
do not do this wheat prices may re-
lapse. on account OF our not being
able TO store and carry the product,
with speculators securing the sole
benefit and farmers bearing the loss.
ave can contract tomorrow with
the Allies for a certain return Tor
every bushel of wheat we can sell. BY
controlling prices at interior terminals
we can assure millers their supplies
and simplify transportation"
As TO sugar, Mr.. Hoover said Ameri-
can refiners are competing with the Al
lies in Cuba. and that the proposed
sugar commission could cooperate with
the Allied purchasers. the American re-
fners and Cuban producers. stabilizing
and reducing prices. as well as remov-
ing speculative incentives. The proposed
appropriation of s15o,OoO,000 for gov
eminent purchase OF commodities, Mr..
Hoover said. might prove too small, but
is needed for banking facilities.
ave feel confident producers prices
of sugar and -four will be reduced, as
we'll as others. through our cooperation
with leaders of other trades" he said.
Eve must have power to license grain
elevators, so that they may play their
part in the teamwork of the govern
ment."
Chairman Gore Of the Agriculture
Committee. and Senator Reed, Of Mis-
sour. leading the opposition to the
bill, took leading part in questioning
Mr.. Hoover.
Replies to Hecklers
"The resort 90 these extraordinary
powers is only because of the war ~
asked Senator Gore.
"To provide not only more food for