The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-15
Overwhelming Sentiment to
Put Stop to All Specu!a-
ton in Necessities.
"PIRATES," ROBBERS
Are Terms Applied - Will
Hurry Legislation to Put
End to Gambling.

Washington. May 4.-Speculation in
food supplies was vehcmently. de-
nounced today on the floor of the sem
ate and in remarkable debate there
was shown plainly an overwhelming
sentiment for putting n stop to gamb-
ling in tho necessities Of life.
An amendment to the espionage bill
proposed by Senator Thomas of Colo
RADIO to suspend during the war all ex-
changes. boards Of trade and chambers
Of commerce that permit speculation
in foodstuffs. was beaten only because
1t was thought the provision had no
place In the bill and that 1t should be
offered in connection with control leg
islation pending in congress.
Robbers and Pirates.
Senator after senator scored the men
who have manipulated grain prices and
the terms pirates" and robbers" were
freely used. The rapid rise in grain
prices on the Chicago exchange start
cd by the agricultural departments
forecast s0f an unusually light winter
wheat yield, has caused the admins
tration to redouble it's efforts in be-
half OF food control legislation already
introduced in both houses Of congress-.
The measures pending were supple
mented today by a resolution intro
duced by Senator Gore. chairman of
the agricultural committee. calling for
appointment by the president Of a con-
trolier general of supplies. There
have been increasing indications since
the return of Herbert G. Hoover, with
food reports from abroad that the ad-
ministration intends to ccntralizc con-
troll OF the food situation in one man.
appointment of food controller
would be made possible by passage of
the food bills already before congress.
but the Gore resolution would make his
duties more specific and would grant
him wider powers.
Resolutions Provisions.
Under the Gore resolution the prcsi- :
dent would be authorized to transfer
to the food controller powers not vest
ed In other departments and bureaus.
The food controller would he empow
cred to act with the allied govern
ments in an international agreement
for control Of food supplies. His con-
troll would extend to fuel and to other
necessities of life. His salary would
be that of a cabinet member and his
duties wpuld be prescribed by con-
gress or by the president. Tile office
would be created for the duration of
the war and for nine months after the
conclusion Of peace.
Pooling Of Interests.
Comforting on food controller pow e.
ers to deal directly with the allies in
the exchange of supplies proposed in
the Gore resolution fits directly into
the governments plans for n ccntra =
lied buying arrangement under an in
tcrnational commission. Government
officials believe one of tho most effect
I've ways of preventing rising food
prices is to pool buying interest and
stop competitive purchasing by the al
lies. In this way it is believed mar
kcts will stabilize themselves and that
with minimum price fixing in force
producers will exert themselves to in.
crease the food output. Maximum
price fixing plans. as explained today
by Secretary Houston. do not contcm.
plate maximum price on staples gen
orally. but application of the principle
only when it appears a food corner Is
in sight. The department believes Il
will be possible when the food contro
bills are passed to stop all food specl
lation for profit and still leave the wa,
open for the buying OF legitimate fu.
lures.