New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-01
Measure in Congress to
Stimulate Farm
Production
Checks boarding
And Speculation
Prohibition and Price Fix
ing To Be Taken
Up Later
t.-m In. rllhune Ruteaul


give the Secretary of Agriculture sweep
ing authority to take all steps neces-
sary to stimulate production, to pre-
vent boarding and to facilitate and IN
! sure the equitable distribution OF food
stutTs during the war period were intro
duced into both branches Of Congress
to-day, with the Administration behind
| them.
A bill TO be introduced later will con-
fer plenary power on the President, on
suggestion Of the Council Of National
Defence, to more adequately handle the
situation, including the fixing of prices,
| both minimum and maximum; 70 pre-
scribe national prohibition in the
Presidents discretion; regulate trans
/ portation of food products and deal
with produce exchanges and boards of
trade to prevent undue speculation.
The Secretary's control over distrl-
button under the present bill would
( extend TO the prevention of speculation.
Authority would be given him to secure
access to the books and accounts Of all
concerns engaged in the manufacture
and distribution Of foods, and to ascer-
tain all facts relative to the production,
! transportation and storage of foods,
which will be valuable to the govern
ment in handling the food situation.
/ The measure asks Congress to provide
/ sos. 00O.0 900 to execute its provisions
To Check Seed Speculation
To prevent speculation in seed sup
plies, and to insure an ample supply OF
seed stock for the next crop, it is pro
posed to give the department full au-
thority to purchase, grow or otherwise
procure seeds and to furnish them to
farmers at cost or on credit.
1t is proposed to extend the principle
of the existing grain grades act by au-
thorizing the Secretary Of Agriculture
/ TO promulgate standards for 1oods IN
J general.
Authority would be given to the Sec.
I rpt4ry 10 license lhc manu- ~ 49,
! storage or distribution of food ma
teriais. "Whenever necessary to pre-
vent pluts." states the bill, "or to erect
equitable apportionment Of perishable
products among markets, the Secretary
/ of Agriculture, or his authorized
agents, may direct the market move
ment or distribution of such products.
! This provision, it is pointed out, gives
/ the department virtual dictatorship
over the entire food situation.
/ The existing law prohibiting the mix
ing Of -four is practically suspended by
the legislation introduced to-day. This
/ is done. officials explain, TO permit the
! milling Of whole wheat and the mixing
of whole wheat and corn fours as sug-
: gested by Secretary Houston. Whole
grain milling has been found essential
/ in Europe. according TO the testimony
| of Mr.. Anderson, the food control rep
resentative Of the visiting British COM
mission.
Representative Levers Statement
Representative Lever made this ex-
planatory statement:
This is one of several proposals for
( carving out the plans agreed upon and
| outlined by Secretary Houston in his
/ report of April Is TO the Senate for
| controlling the food supply of the ma
/ ton during the war. A companion pro-
posal is nearing completion and should
be introduced within the next few days.
"These measures are based on the
war power and merely undertake to
care for abnormal conditions caused by
the existing emergency.
"The measure empowers the Secre-
a n he
food situation OF the country. We must
know what we have in the way of food,
where it is located and from What
source It is coming before we can ade-
quately deal with the matter of dis
tribution and prices. 1t enlarges the
activities of the Department of Agri-
culture, especially in the direction of
improved marketing facilities. If the
farmer is TO be asked to produce more
foodstuffs he should have some assur-
ance that fair distribution Of them
should be provided.
at provides for the establishment of
enforcement of standards Of grades for
agricultural products and fertilizers
and for their receptacles, and requires
proper labelling of such receptacies to
prevent fraud and abuse. II authorizes
the Secretary of Agriculture TO license
and control. when necessary, any bust
ness OF manufacture, storage or distri-
button of foods. food materials or feeds
and gives similar power to compel Ii
censees to disgorge unreasonably hoard.
ed stocks Of these commodities, TO re-
frain from unjust or discriminatory
practices or charges and to exact fair
prices only.
Powers Given to Secretary
1T gives him power TO reopir. q.
/ prompt disposition of food wbicL -