Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-04
BILL IN HOUSE GIVES
RULE OVER NECESSITIES
Power to Fix Maximum and Minimum
Prices Of Food, Clothing, Fuel and
Articles Necessary for Their Pro-
duotior--Aims At Full Production
Factories May Be Seized.

committee on agriculture.
The bill is supplemental to that Of
fered several days ago to increase the
production of food and completes the
list of measures to be introduced at
the suggestion of Secretary of Agricul-
ture Houston.
Limited to War Period.
The new bill is limited to the period
of the war and a sufficient time there
after for readjustment and is based on
the war clauses OF the constitution.
Its main provisions empower the pres
ident, under the war clause of the con-
stitution. to take these measures when
ever in his opinion the national emer-
gency shall require:
To fix maximum and minimum prices
for food. clothing, fuel, and other ne
cessities and the articles required for
their production;
To prescribe regulations to govern
the production of these commodities
and, if necessary, to requisition the
producing factories, mines. or other
To compel holders of necessities to
release them in amounts insuring
equitable distribution:
To regulate exchanges in s,ich a way
as to eliminate market manipulation;
To compel railroads to give prefer
ence to the movement Of necessities:
To levy such importation duties as
he finds necessary to prevent excessive
dumping" of foreign products; and
To impose limitation or prohibition
upon the use of grain in the manufac-
ture of liquor.
Given Other Powers.
In addition the secretary OF agricul-
ture would be empowered to establish
standard food grades. to license and
control the manufacture, storage. and
of foods. to prescribe the
of flour to be miIled from
wheat. and to regulate the mixing Of
wheat -four with other -four in the
making of bread and other food.
In statement Mr.. Lever de-
clared there was nothing in the meas
ure to disturb legitimate business ac-
tirities. because ut is hoped that the
mere comforting of the more extreme
new powers will be sufficient without
its becoming necessary to exercise
them"
Former Bill Reported.
The bill introduced In the house ear
her in the week provided for a survey
of the country's food resources and
certain powers to prevent
food speculation.
This measure was ordered favorabiy
from the agriculture commit
tee today after the committee had re-
iuced the appropriation carried from
ga, 000. 900 to approximately $20.000,000
and had eliminated a section authoriz-
Ing the secretary of agriculture to or
der the immediate sale of any food in
such condition that unless promptly
of would become unfit for use.
The section will be Incorporated in a
third measure which is to con-
fer broad powers on. the council of ma
tional defense.
Seek Action Next Week.
Mr.. Lever expects to get both of the
bills up for action in the house next
week The first already is pending in
The senate and the supplemental meas
nre probably will be presented there to-
morrow.
''The new BILL" Mr.. Lever said. deals
with all the necessaries of life. includ-
ing foods. feeds. shoes, clothing, fuel,
and articles required for their produce
ton. The measure is intended only to
meet the present emergency. 1t Is
hased on the war clauses of the con-
stitution and is applicable turnout the
irrespective of state lines.
"The purposes are to stimulate pro-
duction, to reduce waste, to clear the
Channels of distribution, to prevent
boarding, to assure fair prices, to elm
mate injurious speculation, to prohibit
evil practices on exchanges, and to
protect the public against extortion.
Aims At Full Production.
"The suggested legislation recognizes
that the war will disturb the normal
courses Of trade. Accordingly, 1t pro-
vides machinery, first for stimulating
and regulating distribution
80 as to assure affair profit to those
entitled to II: secondly. for preventing
the exploitation of necessaries Of life
by those who aim to take advantage
OF the war emergency to amass UNI
earned fortunes.
"The president is empowered to ef-
feet preference movements by common
carriers In order to assure an adequate
and continuous supply Of necessarfes. z
"He may also prescribe limitations,
regulations, or prohibitions upon the
use Of foodstuffs in the production of
alcohol and Of alcoholic or nonalcoholtc
beverages. and may require reduction
OF the alcoholic content Of beverages.
Factories May % Seized
Factories, plants. mines. or other
engaged in producing
may be reauisitioned and
operated IS; BY tic sseye::..entltf Il be es-
sential. Just compensation for the use
Il provided. The government is further
authorized TO- purchase. produce, or
otherwise to procure necessaries and to
se,l them ct cost. b )
ssPower Is granted to compel holders
to diSgurge and put on the market ex-.
cess necessaries held by them. The
presidSut may regulate exchanges to
prevent unjust market manipulations.
injurious speculation, and undue en-.
hancsment OF prices.
"TNe president Is empowered to hx
minimum prices, and whenever the
pyesident shall find that an emergency
exists requiring such action he is also
empowered to fix maximum prices Of
necessafies II essential in order to pre-
vent 6xtortioh."
ssAaalaria Ii much lese widely preya-