Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-26

Washington. April 23.-Congress took UP
the food problem to-day in public hear
ings by the Senate agricultural commit.
tee. at which Secretary Houston set forth
the administrators food control pro-
gram.
At the same time the federal trade com.
mission. directed by President Wilson to
investigate with the agriculture depart
ment the causes Of high food prices, asked
all State governors to send representa-
| ttves to Washington April 30 for a confer.
ence on State cooperation in the inquiry.
Before appearing at the committee hear.
| ing Secretary Houston put his plans be-
fore the heads Of five of the countrys
big farmers organizations and received
assurances Of support for any measures
the government contemplates for getting
frmer grasp on food production and dis
tribution. The farmers representatives
promised even to give their endorsement
to legislation giving the government power
to nix maximum and minimum prices in
! an emergency.
o. 8. BOYS WORKING RESERVE.
AS its part in the governments plans
the department of labor announced during
the day that 1t had undertaken the mobi.
lization Of a million boys throughout the
country as active farm workers for the
summer. An organization will be formed
to be known as the United States boys
working reserve. 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
BRYAN TO GIVE ASSISTANCE.
Two announcements of the day bearing
on the food situation were a definition
of the duties to be performed by Her
bert c. Hoover az chairman Of the food
committee Of the council Of national de-
Tense and the statement that William
~. Bryan would tour the West to helm
spread the agricultural departments ap-
peal for increased food production. Mr.
Hoover. 1t was stated. will advise as to
the best means Of assisting the allies to
meet their food needs and will assist
State agencies and communities In meet
ing their food problems.
Appearing with Secretary Houston be-
fore the Senate committee were the rep
resentatives Of the farmers organizations.
Mr.. Houston amplihed 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 de-
partment Of agriculture lacked machin.
cry to obtain an accurate estimate Of the
food supply Of the country at the present
time and needed legislation to provide It,
$2.32 WHEAT NOT EXPLAINED.
Aside from the wheat and potato crops
there had been no indicated shortage OF
staple foodstuffs. the secretary said. The
nation needs for its normal domestic re.
quirements about 64O.0o0.O00 bushels OF
wheat year. he explained, including 3d.
100000 bushels for seeding purposes. That
amount. he said. was about this years
crop. Last year the nation had carry.
over Of about 170.000.o 100 bushels Of wheat.
From July last until March 1 last the
amount Of bushels Of wheat was about
1ao0oo,o 900 bushels. With all these facts
in mind the secretary said It was hard to
determine the cause for $2.32 wheat
Probably" he said, there IL partly
an economic Justification; partly there
Is apprehension that the low prices
paid few years ago will be paid again
AS to what extent prices may be con.
trolled. have no facts to base ar
opinion
NORMAL PRODUCTION.
! Figures were given showing that the