The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-05

the sessions legislation that one
grasps the meaning of 1t all and
realizes how the destinies Of the
nation, and all there is in It, are In the
hands of the man in the White House
President Isolated.
1t Is no wonder, then, that the
Isolation of the President has become
more noticeable than ever during the
past four months, that he can see no
one save the most important person
ages. and that he Is working in prac-
teal seclusion at a job bigger than
was ever entrusted to any human.
Within the week a conference COM
mittee has agreed upon, and one body
Of Congress has approved, the food
control bill. The same statement ap-
plies to the priority shipment" bill.
Conference reports on both of these
measures went through the House
and doubtless will be approved by
the Senate this week. With the Sem
ate's approval the major legislation
OF the session-except the war reve-
nue. bill-will have been put on the
statute books and the last links
forged in President Wilson's chain of
power.
And now, what power has the
President received? Take the laws,
one by one, passed in the closing days
Of the last session and the four
months OF the war session:
Controls Food Prices.
The food control bill empowers the
President, "by reason of the existence
of a state OF war" to issue rules and
regulations that will prevent the
manipulation of food prices, the
boarding Of footstuffs and injurious
speculation therein. He is empow-
cred to regulate also the distribution
and sale of fuel. farm implements.
fertilizer and other things entering
into the production of food. The
a resident may license the importa-
tion, manufacture, storage and dis
tribution OF necessaries and to force
a ,dlscontinuRnce Of evil practices
and unjust rates and prices.
The President may TX the price of
coal and coke and take over mines
and operate them.
He may limit the amount OF food
stuhS. entering into the manufacture
Of malt or vinous liquors or prohibit
their brewing.
He may enter the business of pur-
chasing and selling foodstuffs and
guarantee q reasonable profit and
price, to the producer and the con-
sumner.
49, Control of shipments.
The priority shipment bill empow-
ers President Wilson to direct, in the
name Of the national security and de-
Tense shipments of railroads and COM
mon carriers by water. He is empow-
cred to. demand the preferential ship
msnt by the common carriers of GER
tain classes Of freight Other. freight
must walt If man has a carload OF
household furniture en- route to his
new home the President may side
track that car and compel the rail-
roSd to handle. freight in which, tho
Government and the people are more
interested. " Passenger trains are sub
teet TO bis call for the movement OF
troops, and the. ordinary. traveller Is Of
secondary consideration in war tines.
PTea1de nte VEilsSn.i Is also empowered
'fto use the EARNED forces of the Uni
ted States" to prevent the retardation
ofi the passage Of the mails or of
freight in Interstate commerce.
The aviation bill. carrying an ap-
preparation of $40 900. 900 for the
seRding OF a great aerial fleet to the
battlefields' Europe. clothes the
President with authority ito provide