Arizona republican., 1917-05-20

"If this cannot be done" MT Hoo- vcr's statement says, T shall cer- tainly and willingly surrender the task to some other method of emer- gency. I hold that democracy can yield to discipline, and that we can solve this food problem for our people and our allies in this way and that to have done so will have been a greater service than our immediate objective for we will have demonstrated the rightness of our faith and our ability to defend our selves without being Prussianized.
 Although it is absolutely necessary that unquestionable powers be placed in my hands" says the presidents statement. T am confident that the exercise of those powers will be neces- sary only in the few cases where some small and selfish minority proves un- willing to put the nations interest above personal advantage"
 The statement in full follows:
 ''It is very desirable in order to pre- vent misunderstanding or alarms and to assure cooperation in a vital mat ter that the country should understand exactly the scope and purpose of the very great powers which I have thought it necessary in the circum- stances to ask the congress to nut in my hands with regard to our food sup plies. These powers are very great indeed but they are no greater than it has proven necessary to lodge in the other governments which are con ducting this momentous war, and their object is stimulation and conservation, not arbitrary restraint or injurious in terference with the normal processes of production. They are intended to ben eft and assist the farmer and all those who play a legitimate part in the preparation. distribution, and market ing of foodstuffs.
 Tt is proposed to draw a sharp line of distinction between the normal &C., tivities of the government represented in the department of agriculture in ref erence of food production, conservation and marketing on the one hand and the emergency activities necessitated by the war in reference to the regulation of food distribution and consumption on the other. All measures intended directed to extend the normal activities of the department of agriculture in reference to the production, conserva- tion, and the marketing of farm crops will be administered, as in normal times. through that department and the powers asked for over distribution and consumption over exports, import. prices, purchase and requisition of commodities, storing, and the like, which may require regulation during the war will be placed in the hands of a commissioner of food administration appointed by the president and di- reetly responsible to him.
 The objects sought to be served by the legislation asked for are: Full inquiry into the existing avail able stocks of foodstuffs and into the costs and practices of the various food producing and distributing ! trades; the prevention of all unwar-
 ranted boarding of every kind and of the control of foodstuffs by persons 1 producers dealers, or traders; the re- 1 quisitioning when necessary for the i public use of food supplies and of the 1 equipment necessary for handling
 them properly: the licensing of whole | some and legitimate mixtures and milling percentages; and the prohibit l tion of the unnecessary or wasteful waste of foods. Authority is asked
 also to establish prices-but not in order to limit the profits of the | farmers. but only to guarantee to /, them when necessary minimum
 price which will insure them a profit
 where they are asked to attempt new crops, and to secure the con- sumner against eXtol,;on by breaking 1 up corners and attempts at specula . tion when they occur by fixing tenn porarily a reasonable price at which 1 middle men must sell.
 | T have asked Mir Herbert HooveI (Ccntinued on Page Two)