The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-05-04
DRASTIC BILL
GIVES WILSON
FOOD CONTROL
Seven Radical Provisions
in War Measure Intro
duced in House.
PRICE FIXING IS FIRST
President May Seize Fac
tories or Mines and Regu-
late Production,

s"NO l.
WASHINGTON, May 3-Absolute au.
thority to regulate in its discretion the
production. distribution and prices OF
food and other necessities during the
war was asked Of Congress to-day by
] the Administration.
! In a sweeping bill. introduced with
Administration approval by Chairman
A. F. Lover democrat. South Carolna)
Of the House Agriculture Committee. it
!s proposed to empower the President.
/ under the war clause of the Constitution.
to take these measures whenever in his
! require:
To hX maximum and minimum
prices for food. clothing, fuel and other
necessities. and the articles required
for their produc ction.
To prescribe regulations to govern
the production Of these comm odities
and. II necessary. to reQuisition the
producing factories. mines or other
establishment
To compel holders of necessities to
equitable distribution.
To regulate exchanges in such .
way as to eliminate market manipl.
iation.
To compel railroads to give pref.
erence to the movement Of necessities.
To levy such importation duties as
he finds necessary to prevent eyees.
si,e "dumpine" Of foreien products.
To impose limitations or prohibi-
tioRs upon the use Of grain in the
manufacture Of LIQUOR.
! Further Powers Are Asked.
In addition the Secretary OF Agricul-
ture would be empowered to establish
/ standard food grades. to license and con-
troll the manufacture storage and dis
tribution OF foods. to prescribe the per-
ccntage OF hour to be milied from wheat
and 10 regulate the mixing OF wheat
| -four with other -four in the making Of
bread and other food
IN a statement tonight Mr. Lever de-
| olsred there was nothing in the measure
, to disturb legitimate business activities
, because 'it is hoped that the here con-
ferring Of the more extreme new powers
! will be sufficient without its becoming
necessary to exercise them"
( It Is known that officials Of the eyecu-
tive branches OF the Government hold
'he same view. believing that with such
effective weapons in their possession they
will encounter no difficulty IN lining up
on the side Of the public interest with
f, out legal action all recalc!trant private
agencies.
TIE bill Is supplemental 10 The Admin
istration food measure introduced in the
House earlier IN the week providing fo-
survey Of the country's food resources
and conferring certain powers 10 prevent
food speculation.
This measure was ordered ravorably
reported from the Agricultural Commit
tee to-day after the committee had re-
duced the appropriation carried from
so5,0onooo 20 approximately SEQ oo0. 900
and had eliminated a section author.z-
! ing the Secretary OF Agriculture to
order the immediate sale of any food in
such condition that unless promptly dis
posed Of it will become unfit for use
The section vii! be incorporated IN a
coming third measure which is to confer
! broad powers on the Council of National
Defence.
RilIs before House Next Week.
Mr.. Lever expects 10 get both of the
bills UP for action in the House next
week The first already is pending in
tho Serate and the supplemented meas
urc probably will bc presented there to-
morrow.
The new bill" said Mr.. Lever IN his
statement. deals it'll all the neccssa ries
If life, Including foods. feeds. shoes.
clothing. fuel and articles required FOR
heir production The measure is m
tended only I" meet the present ener-
gency. n is limited TO tho period ot IN.
war and sufficient TIME thn-es fter
i To-
war clauses Of the Constitution and Is
app,icabl" throughout the country. ire
spe,tive Of State lines.
The purposes are ~ stimulate pro-
ductor. to reduce waste to clear tho
channels Of distribution. 20 prevent
boarding. 10 assure fair prices. to elm
irato injurious speculation, 10 prohibit
evil practices on exchanges and to pro-
'ect tho public aga!ns: eXtortion.
Tho suggested legislation recognizes
that the war will disturb the normal
courses or trade. Accordingly Il pro-
Nides machinery first for stimulating
production and regulating DISTRIBUTE ion sS
as 80 assure "a fair profit 70 those en-
titled 10 II secondly, for preventing tho
exploitation - nccesslrirS Of l'fe hv
those who aim 80 take advantage of the
vir emergency TO anasS uuearned for
tunes With thcs" objects in view 'he
hill NeSts Nlle authority IN me Govern
mont 20 control the situation
Drastic Law May Not ne IuvoL 4
"It Is hoped tina. the mere comforting
Of tho more extreme rev powers Will he
sufficient without IS t,. 'o'n!ng necessary
TO exercise them. There IS nothing IN
tho measure To disturb leFit'1at" hus!-
less activities II Il hereafter appear
essential to exercise the new powers
,rov.sion is made fo~ prescribing the
limitations Of tho conduct of these ac-
tivitles with such certainty tGat those
affected should experience lit'lc difficulty
N meeting tho requirements. On the
Other hand. heavy penalties ar" provided
for .hose UNIV ming 20 fall II line
'"rho prcsic!r is empowered 20 effcc,
preference nlnycu"uiS hy common ,qr-
riers in order 10 assure an adequate and
continuous supply - uccrssar'cs. AZ
may also presrrihe limitations. rcgu.a.
tons or prohibitions upon the use o'
ToodstuNs In III" production or alruho
aud ~ alcoholic ~ nun-alcohuli" be-. er,
ages and may require reduction OF tn,
alcoholic contcu, % beverages
"FA'tories plaNt-. lutn"S o. 9TH"
embellishments engaged iu producing
| ucrcssarics may pe l"qAisltioned an,
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