New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-25
Food Control Wins, Though
Handicapped

passage
Albany constitutes a considerable victory
for Governor Whitman over his legis-
latiye adversaries. 1t constitutes, too,
considerable victory for the general public
the consumers-over the food protiteers,
the various degrees of middle men, com
mission men, food hoarders and general
exploiters, who have been largely respon-
sible for the prevailing high prices of
necessaries Of life. For what promise of
relief it gets in this measure the public
should be properly grateful. 1t is unfortu-
nate that the promise Of relief is not
greater.
A jealous and diligent commission,
working under this measure in cooperation
with the Federal Food Controller, should
be able to do much to bring down food
prices to where they belong. boarding of
foods, manipulation of prices in the mar
ket, the buying up of food at the farms
with intent to let it rot there, can be
stopped, or, at the worst, greatly min
inized. Provision can be made for pub
licly controlled storage warehouses and
for public terminal market systems, which
can play an important part in reducing
costs. The cost of delivery may be lowered
by the working out of efficient systems
and state supervision.
But the bill, compromise between the
Governor and legislators little less than
inimical to any form of food control, lacks
the teeth it should have. 1t is deeply to be
regretted that the Governor did not stick
to his original proposals. When he aban-
doned them to get his legislative opponents
to abandon a wholly preposterous pro-
vision in their measure-that naming the
members of the Food Commission-he
weakened the cause for which he was
working and he raised obstacles to the
complete and thoroughgoing price control
for which the consumers hoped. Amend
ments TO the bill offered by the Democrats
were practically identical with the Gov
errors original proposal. These were that
the State Food Commission might take
food for sale to the public without long
and tedious condemnation proceedings and
trial of the case before jury, and that
municipalities might purchase and sell
foods in emergency without first obtaining
the permission of the state commission.
These, if they had been adopted, would
have strengthened the bill vastly. A third
amendment, urged in justice to New York
City, should also have been adopted to
make the bill, fair. This would have re-
lieved the state of any part of the cost Of
municipal terminal markets, making the
q cities pay it all themselves. AS the bill
stands, New York will have to pay half the
cost of its own markets and about two
thirds of the states share Of the cost Of
markets in all municipalities.
Nevertheless, though weaker than it
ought to have been, the bill is far better
than nothing. If the Governor appoints a
competent and Jealous commission and
the Senate does not precipitate a long
fight over the confirmation of Mr.. Perkins,
who is scheduled to be one Of the members,
it should be possible before winter to check
haps even to lower them in certain staples.
There is great need for such action. There
is unquestionably much suffering now in
this city because Of the inflated food mar
ket. There is unquestionably malnutrition
of workers, due TO sheer inability to pay
prevailing prices for wholesome and nour-
ishing food on the prevailing wages.
II is huge problem the commission will
have to tackle. Because of the bills short
comings it viii be difficult, perhaps impos-
sible, TO do much that is necessary. But at
least beginning has been made in the en-
actment Of this measure, and notice has
been served on the food gamblers that
they'll have 10 move on.