Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-22
PROTECTION IN FOOD
AND FUEL BOTH SURE
SAYS SENATOR SMITH
Declares 1.-THE People Can Rest
Assured Congress viii Put
an Absolute End to SpecuIa-
ton and Manipulation" .

The people can accept It as abso-
luteIy certain. declared Senator Hoke
Smith IN an interview with a represen-
tative Of The Journal in Atlanta Thurs
day, that congress will give them legis-
lation that will absolutely put an end
TO speculation in and manipulation Of
the prices of food and fuel
Senator Smith is here on a flying trip
following his address TO the graduating
class OF the University OF Georgia in
Athens Wednesday He will be in At
lanta until Friday afternoon. and then
return to- Washington.
Senator Smith. IN his interview. made
II plain that he is rot opposed to legis-
lat.On to protect the people from spec
u1ation and manipulation, but is opposed
only TO certain features Of the food con-
troll bill as submitted to congress
His view is that protection Of the con-
sumer OF food should be accomplished
without laying a hardship on the pro-
Queer OF food. and he has opposed only
those features OF the food control bill
which might have the last named. effect
and which also might have the effect of
injuring southern farmers by fixing a
maximum price on cotton
In the course OF his interview. Sena-
tor Smith paid a very high compliment
to Herbert Hoover. whom the president
has selected for food director. and ex-
pressed the hope that Mr.. Hoover will
not resign because OF the delay in per-
fecting the food control bill.
THE INTERVIEW.
One OF the features TO which 1 most
objected in the original food control
bill" said Senator Smith, was a pro-
vision authorizing the fixing OF maxi
MUM prices on all agricultural products.
Il was fully convinced that il was
part OF the program 10 nix a maximum
price on cotton, and as we had been
unable TO secure any help towards hxing
minimum price on cotton in 1914, when
we needed IT, / was opposed 10 fixing a
maximum price al this time.
That definite section has been strick-
en- from the bill. but there are several
provisions left which are very extreme .
One is a provision by which the food
director might claim the authority TO
fix maximum prices on agricultural prod
ucts- I am sure this can he eliminated
by an amendment
I do not believe the bill as now writ !.
ten ought to pass, but I believe congress
should study the subject very carefully
and pass bill giving ali necessary pow
er TO the food director to meet the re-
sponsibilities OF the situation.
II am opposed 20 any EFFORT to hnbus-
ter against the bill. strongly favor a
fair discussion and Improvement of the
bill, and then action
ut can be accepted as absolutely GER
tain that We viii have legislation that
win absolutely put an end TO specula-
ton in and manipulation Of the prices Of
food and fuel.
While the producer of foodstuffs
ought 10 be encouraged TO large produc-
ton and insured fair compensation. we.
must see that the consumer ceases to-
be robbed.
PRAISES MR.. HOOVER
MI. Hoover, whom President Wilson
has selected as food director, was before
the food committee Of the senate for two
days. I was there all the time, and re-
gard him as one Of the ablest and most
patriotic men have ever known. He Is
filed with the purpose Of service and In
endowed with the executive ability TO
perform the responsible tasks which the
president has placed upon him
II hope he viii not be discouraged by
the necessary delay required to perfect
reasonable and wise legislation would
be willing and glad Co pass joint reso-
tion expressing confidence in him and
urging him 60 stay on the job.
The public must understand that the
vast amount OF bills called administra-
ton measures which come before con-
gress have not been prepared or even
read by the president Assistants in va
riOus departments get up the pills
Having had a subject OF legislation laid
before them. they try to cover every
possible power connected with IT
Both the house and the senate owe
the president and the public the absolute
duty to make these measures workable
before they are passed
The work Of congress during this
extra session has been most remarkable
II would take a long list 70 show every
thing chat has been done.
''Ons appropriation act for the army
and navy carried the stupendous sum OF
sssoo.o 900 and in It's details provided
for the expenditure Of this money.
''One act authorized the issuance OF
$1,000. 900. 900 OF bonds and provided for
their use.
one act provided for increasing the
army 70 10000 men and provided for
their organization
URGES PATIENCE
The public viii do themselves and
the country and the president a great
injury II by their impotence they induce
a haste in congress that brings about
the passage OF immature legislation.
IT am not surprised at the patriotism
and readiness for self-denial which I
ind indicated by all Georgisns.
Il never doubted that this would be
their attitude"
Senator Smith has been working ex-
tremeIy hard in the discharge Of the du-
ties devoIving upon him during the ardu-
Gus extra session. which already has
written some OF the most important
chapters in American history. and the
strain has told on his strength
But his general health IS good and
he is taking scrupulous care OF himself.
meanwhile looking forward 20 the time
~ NJ
and q complete rest
House Finally Settles