Evening times-Republican., 1917-05-21


States as soon as congress authorize!
him TO do so. already has his coat OF
and is acting in an advisory capacity
with agencies endeavoring to solve th'
food problems precipitated by the war
Mr.. Hoover worked all day. ane
nearly all night, mapping plans for re
storing normal food conditions in tbs
country, adjusting the transportation
difficulties and laying the ground wori
for CO. cooperative handling of the grair
supply of the nation for the Unitec
States and it's allies against Germany
For more than six hours Mr.. Hoover
was in consultation with representa-
tive grain men from New York ant
the middle west, considering particu-
larly the readjustment of ,the trans.
portation facilities for the movement
of crops to mills and the seahoard.
Definite Transportation Plan.
This conference is being continued
today. and by the time it is concluded
a definite transportation plan will be
ready for submission to the operating
board of the railroads, which. the ad-
ministration hopes. soon will be in
control so far as, dictation of prefer
Early in the day Mr.. Hoover con-
ferred with Allen Anderson OF the
British mission TO the United States
who is chairman of the wheat buying
board of the European allies.
Nothing officially was disclosed re-
garding this conference, but 1t Is
known to have concerned the purpose
OF this government to induce the allies
TO dispose of their huge options on July
wheat, which. all experts agree, have
had much TO do with the prevailing
abnormaiiy high prices
The government must and will insist
leading American grain man de-
clared last night. that the European
allies cooperate with this government
in the disposal of domestic grain crops
Adjustment Must Be Made.
The allies already are aware. he said
that they have options on more wheat
than this country will produce and that
an adjustment must be made so tina,
general opportioning of crops be-
tween the nations at war against Ger
many can he devised.
Representatives of the allies are said
to be willing TO negotiate on this basis
provided they ha@G assurances they
will be taken care of, insofar as this
government can he of assistance with
out pinching the people al home.
Everybody in the grain business
and everybody who understands the
situation" said one of Mr.. Hoovers
Sonferees, knows that congress IS so-
ing TO pass the food bill. and that II
IS going to appoint food director OF
controller.
Everyone also knows Herbert G.
Hoover is TO be the man. OF course,
some members of congress arc bowling
about II. but members of congress have
howled before in emergencies and have
come around 10 vote for wha, the
president believes is necessary for the
best interest Of the country.
Government Must Control.
Grain men universally realize the
government must control the distribu-
ton Of crops In this war We realixe
also that Mr.. Hoover is the logical
man to direct that control and that he
will be appointed.
consequently. while congress Is
thinking about the subject and getting
ready to pass the law we are getting
busy with Hoover unofficially. and
Hoover is getting busy with his plans
so that no time viii be lost. That Is
why we are here working with the ma
t!onal council of defense officially and
with Mr.. Hoover in an advisory ca
pacity.''
Participating with Mr.. Hoover in the
long conference relating 10 grain trans
l. iTn -
lis; J. C. J. Merrill secretary OF the
Chicago Board OF Trade: II. L. Monit
st. Louis: J. H. Macmillan, Minreapo-
lis: Julius H. Barnes. New York: Rob
ert McDougall, Chicago: George Ayls-
worth, Kansas City: c. b. Pierce, Chi
cago. and ]. Ralph Pickell. secretary
Of the national conference Of grain ex-
changes. Chicago.
These men. representing large grair
interests. are cooperating with the dc
partment, Of agriculture and the cham
pions Of food legislation pending In
congress, as well as the council Of ma
tional defense. and Mr.. Hoover.
Mr. Hoover Is saying nothing what
ever about his unofficial conferences
He is not even admitting them, for tht
reason congress has not yet passed tht
food legislation urged by Presiden
Wilson and the secretary Of agricul-
ture.
But those who insist on seeing hin
in advance are admitting the prospec'
tive food controller has plunged earn
estIy into work unofficiaily. and the,
feel IL lis a good thing that he is doinf
il.
While informal negotiations are pro
crossing leaders in congress are en-
deavoring to expedite the passage O
the food bill Hearings on the meas
,lre will close late today before tn
house committee on agriculture. Sen
ator Gore. chairman of tn senate com
mittee, has appointed a subcommtfte'
Is co-operate with. the house commit
tee in redrafting the bill originall.
submitted On this subcomittee ar
Senators Thomas P. Gore, Ellison
Smith, Of South Carolina; Hoke Smith
OF Georgia; William s.. Kenyon. o
iowa, and Carroll s. Page, Of Vermont
Testimony relating to the effect Q
the enormous purchases OF grain b.
the allied governments on the Ameri
can market and remedies Tor the stu
alton was given to the house commit
tee by Mr.. Plckell and George Sum
merville Jackson, Of New York. presi
dent Of the Grain Exporters Associa
tion Of the United States
Allied Buying at an End.
Mr.. Pickell, who told the committee
wholesale purchases by the ailies an
their persistent buying Of July whea,
REGARDLESS of chance for delivery, hat
! haan the cause Of recent high prices 0