The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-16
kNl@ FeeB CONTROL.
GOxdPERS STARTS CAMPAIGN FOR
PASSAGE OF LEVER BILL.
Points Out That Shortage OF Crops Is
Added Factor Making Quick Action
Imperative.

labor was called upon formally by
the American Federation Of Labor to-
day to get behind the campaign Tor
enactment of the administration food
legislation by July L. All unions were
urged In a letter by President Com
pers to press their congressman Tor
prompt action.
Mr.. Gompers said:
"After July the new crops VIII
be moving to the market. food spec
ulators will have cornered crops
prices will be forced UP and the peo-
pie will feel actual want.
"Since the war wages nave not
kent pace with the increasing cost
Of living. They have remained prac-
ticalh stationary. while prices have
more than doubled. The only practi-
cal way to increase the spending in
comes of all is to decrease the cost
Of living.
.Graye danger concronts the Ameri-
can people--the danger OF hunger,
which unless our government takes
immediate and effective action to pre-
vent win portend greater injury than
the threat OF the foreign foe.
Abnormal conditions exist-the or
dinarv checks of competition have
disappeared. Food spectators are
gambling. on the peoples necessities.
We must devise new machinery to
meet tremendous vital needs. We will
have to establish economic agencies to
control food so that the people may
be insured subsistence. The problem
strikes at the very roots of life.~
"This Is a problem that has strong
appeal to the whole nation. Legis-
lat.on can not be accomplished with
out persistent. intelligently directed
efforts Of all.
"The proposed legislation does not
Bet up d loou uiCldloiShiP' ~ uo0S
not purpose to ration the people. but
attempts to protect the people against
speculation by rational practical
means"
I'm order to secure the fullest bene-
fits from the Lever bill it must be
law before July 1. Every worker who
wishes lower prices of the necessities
OF life can be helpful in securing
them by Immediate enactment of the
Lever bill. The following suggestions
are made to those who wish~td help:
LET every trade union. every GEN.
tral body. every State federation of
labor. every International organization
take official action upon this matter
and communicate that to your respec-
tive congressman in the house of rep
resentatives, your senators and to the
president of the United States.
I'm addition to this formal official
action let every individual member of
the organized labor movement write a
personal letter or send some COM
munication to his or her representa-
tive and senator. Ask your friends to
take similar action. Ask all organized
bodies within your locality to express
to their representatives at the ma
tional capital their desire for the i'm
mediate passage Of legislation that
will reduce the cost Of the necessities
OF life.
"The need Of immediate, effective
action Is demonstrated by the fact
that the worlds grain crop is serious
y Jelow normal. The wheat crop In
this country is even smaller than
that of last year and we are con-
frented with the gigantic task of
feeding our allies and maintaining
our own army and civilian popula-
ton.
The war can not be fought by
hungry men. The work necessary to
maintain the continuity of this ma
tion can not he done by starving peo-
pie. Food administration is effective
as is demonstrated by the fact that
bread is cheaper in Belgium, France
and Italy than it is in this country |
and this even when we export the
grain to Belgium from which their
lower priced bread is made.
"You are urged to act im m ediately
to make known your need and your
desire to those who are charged with
the responsibility of creating agen-
cies by which sufficient food will be
assured to this nation and to those
fighting the worlds war for human
freedom.
Press home upon all the necessity
that the Lever bill should be on the