The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-09
|IIIlIE FOOD Prices.
V1eT9sATION ASKS ABsO4
VUxD PoWER 10 CONTROL
NJ FOOD SUPPLIES.
Vvend Regulate Production and Dis
e1enuon Of Food Supply During
V0sr-WOuld Ffx Maximum and
HAimum Priccs-Applies to All


sfeoA and other necessities during the
!. ver was asked Of congress today by
\ ~ standardization.
" N sweeping bin introduced with
sdministfation approval by Chair
7. nan Lever Of the house agriculture
! oommittee II b proposed to empower
~ president to take these measures
|, whenever In his opinion the national
1nergsncy shall require:
70 AZ maximum and minimum
4 pricss for food. clothing. fuel and
( ether necessities. and the articles re-
Quirsd for their production.
TO prescribe regulations to govern
tine production Of these commodities
\ and II necessary to reQuisition the
4 producing factories. mines or other
establishments.
10 compel holders Of necessities to
release them In amounts insuring
equitable distribution.
70 regulate exchange in such way
- 70 eliminate market manipulation.
y 70 compel railroads to give prefer
encs 70 the movement Of necessities.
10 levy such import duties as he
nnds necessary to prevent excessive
~dump' of foreign products: and
10 impose limitations or prohibi-
uens upon the use Of grain In the
ananufacture Of liquor.
In addition the secretary of agri-
culture would DO empowered to estab-
lish standard food grades. to license
aRd control the manufacture, storage
and distribution Of foods; to pre-
scribe tho percentage Of -four to be
millsd nom wheat and to regulate the
mixing Of wheat flour with other
osur IN the making Of bread and other
Sood. -
tf Mr.. Lever declared there was moth
ins In the measure to disturb legiti-
mate business activities because "it Is
hoped that the mere conferring of the
more extrome new powers will be
sufAcisnt without Its becoming neces-
sasy 20 exercise them"
II - knt'wn that officials hold the
skme view.
The bin is supplemental to the ad-
ministratioi food measure intro
duced In the house earlier In the week
providing for q survey Of the coun-
trys food resources and comforting
certain powers to prevent food specu-
lation. This measure was ordered
favorably reported from the agricul-
tural committee today after the COM
mittee had reduced the appropria-
tion carried from $4,000. 900 to ap-
proximately $4,000. 900 and had
eliminated "a section authorizing the
secrssary OF agriculture to authorize
the Immediate sale Of any food In
such condition that unless promptly
dispossd Of II will become UNIT for
use. The section will bc incorporated
In coming third measure which is to
confer broad powers on the council
OF national defense.
Mr.. Lever expects to get both of
the bills up for action In the house
next week.
Tho new bill." said Mr.. Lever,
deals with all the necessaries of life,
including foods. feeds. shoes, cloth.
ing. fuel and articles required for
their production. The measure is in
tended only 20 meet the present emer
ssncy. II Is limited to the period of
the war and n sufficient time there
after for readjustment. 1t Is based
on tho war clauses of the constitution
and In applicable throughout the coun
try. Irrespective Of State lines.
The purposes are to stimulate pro-
duction and TO reduce waste. to clear
the channels Of distribution. to pre-
vent boarding. to assure fair prices,
to eliminate injurious speculation, to
prohibit evil practices on exchanges
and t. protect the public against ex-
tortion.
Power Is granted to compel hold
srs to disgorge and put on the mar
ket necessaries held by them In OK
cess OF amounts reasonably needed to
supply their legitimate individual or
ouiness requirement for a reasona-
Ole time. The president may regulate
exchanges including the prices. quota
uons and like so as to avoid their
employment as instrumentalities 10
enect unjust market manipulations.
Injurious speculation and undue en-.
hancement of prices.
Tho president Is empowered to
dx minimum nricea aaanrinr fol. "A