Evening journal., 1917-11-24
government AFTER
MARYLAND Gamers
IS are Accused of Hoarding
Food in Violation
OF Law
MUST EXPLAIN
TO ADMINISTRATOR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24,-It develop
ed yesterday that charges Of extens-
i've violation Of the boarding clause Of
the food control act by Maryland can
ners have been received by the United
states food administration Fifteen
packers on the Eastern Shore are in
volved. The specific charge is that
they packed and stored away in ware
houses their canned products IN viola
tlon Of the Lever act.
The packers involved were notified
70 come 10 Washington or send a rep
resentative 10 answer the charges be
fore Herbert Hoover. Their names
will not be disclosed until they have
been given an opportunity 10 make an
explanation. The prominent packer %
who was asked 10 explain the hoard
Ing charge failed to put in his appear
ance yesterday He will be given a
few days longer and II he fails to
meet the charges IAN example will be
made Of him." It was stated az the
food administration.
Food Administration officials declared
that while there have been reports Of
extensive violations Of the boarding
clause throughout the country, the
charge against the Maryland Gamers
are the most definite" yet received.
They are under the impression that
the Maryland violations are due more
TO misunderstanding or misinterprc-
tation Of the Lever act than 10 an in
tention 10 break ii wilfully on the part
Of the canner for the purpose Of test
ing its constiiutionalty The Gov
ernment officials stated. however. that
II the Marylanders are planning a fight
on the validity Of the act. their chal-
lenge will be accepted at once
Under the Lever act. Mr. Hoover can
put the Gamers out Of business. He
has the authority TO revoke their li-
. censes. under which they are compelled
TO operate. and then prosecute them
The penalty is two years I'm prison on
$1,000 fine
In discussing the matter. the Food
Administration officials made it plain
that they intend TO enforce the law C
.he letter agai/t the first willfu
siolater Of the boarding and speculation
clause In order 20 make it clear no in
fraction Of this provision VIII b'
countenanced. 10 Is not Mr. Hoover
intention 10 prosecute cases where thl
violation was duo 10 ignorance or
misunderstanding In these cases. thi
pacte"s viii Dee told b. put their ware
housed goods on the market and not Il
break the law again. and II they do this
the matter viii be dropped
The charges against the MARYLAND
Gamers. together with those from othe
states. show that Hoover has a thou
sand eyes" Not only governmental of
lcials but persons not suspected IN thei
communities are keeping him In toucl
with the nations food situation. an
when a charge Of violation Of the Leve
act is made to him 1t is investigate
promptly and the food handler Is eive
an opportunity to explain so far N
bulk Of these violations are made
Ignorance Of the law.
Mr.. Hoover sent telegrams 10 an m
state food administrators. includin
Edwin c. Baetier. food administrato
Of Maryland. in which they are aske
10 warn all food handlers comm
under the license law TO take stel
20 procure their licenses without d.
lay II appears that a large numbe
~ food distributors have done nothin
toward obtaining license. NJ
Hoovers telegram Is in tho nature Z
warning. and if IL is not heede,
prosecutions will follow II the me
continue in business.