Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-24
Public Hearings on. the Food Problem
BEGUN BEFORE THE SENATE
 AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE
INVESTIGATE HIGH PRICE
Government Has Undertaken the MoB- iIization of a Million Boys to Aid in Active Farm Work During the Sum- mer.

Washington, April 22. - Congress took up the food problem today in public hearingc by the senate agri- culture committee at which Secretary Houston set forth the administrators food control programme.
 At the same time the federal trade commission directed by President Will son to investigate with the agricultural prices, asked all state governors to send representatives to Washington April 30 for a conference of state CO., operation in the inquiry.
 Farmers Endorse Fixing of Prices.
 Before appearing at the committee hearing Secretary Houston put his plans before the heads of five of the country's big farmers organizations. The farmers representatives promised among other things to give their en- do(rscment to legislation giving the government power to fix maximum and minimum prices in an emergency
 Million Boys as Farm Workers.
 As it's part in the government s plans, the department of labor an, nounced during the day that it had undertaken the mobilization of m1i- lion boys throughout the country as active farm workers for the summer. An organization will be formed to be Working Reserve It's operations will be directed from Washington by Will liam Edwin Hall, of New York, presi- dent of the Boys Club Federation.
 Bryan to Tour West.
 Two announcements of the day bearing on the food situation were definition of the duties to be per chairman of the food committee of the Council of National Defense and the statement that William J. Bryan would tour the west to help spread the agricultural departments appeal for increased production MT Hoo yer, it was stated, will advise as to tfe best means of assisting the allies to meet their food needs and will as- sist state agencies and communities ID meeting their food problems
 Wheat and Potatoes Needed.
 Aside from the wheat and potato crops, there had been no indicated shortage of staple foodstuffs. the sec retary said. The nation needs for It's normal domestic requirements about $40 900 600 bushels of wheat a year was about this years crop. Last year the nation had a carry over Of about l70,e0o, ,009 bushels of wheat From July l last to March l last the amount exported was about 13o, 100000 ousn- els. With all these facts in mind the secretary said it was hard to deter mine the cause for s2-32 wheat
 Probably" he said, there IS partly an economic justification; partly there is apprehension that the low prices paid a few years ago will be paid again. As to what extent prices may be controlled, I have no facts to base an opinion"
 .T think" Mir Houston said. "the high prices are due to a comoinatlon of circumstances
 A combination of circumstances and people," suggested Senator Ken
 -Maybe," replied the secretary, MT. Houston said he did not believe the power to fix prices would nave ec be exercised and he did not think the Government should go into the whole sale business.
 Grain Going Into Alcohol.
 The secretary said ne had no ac- curate estimate of the grain going in to alcohol except that it's value last year was s145, 900 oo0-
 John H. McSparran. master Of the Pennsylvania grange, sald the gov the farmers: that there should pe statutory prohibition and that the rail roads should be compelled to change their methods of handling grain EnrolIine Stations for Boys. The department of Iabor's boy mo- biIizatiorl plan contemplates the es- ltabIishment of enrolling stations IT every city in the country Boys Iron I5 to 1e years of age would be organ ized in squads under proper supervis- ion. and with adequate equipment would camp on farms wherever then services were needed during the sea son.
 done that will in any way tend tt break down accepted standards ol child legislation and child life