The Sentinel=record., 1917-05-15
FOOD CONTROLLER TO
 HAVE EXTENSIVE POWER
Bi,l More Than Likely to Be Passed That WuI Close All Exchanges in the United States Permitting specula- ton in Food Supplies.

Washington, May 1l-sreoH'ation n food supplies was pehemenuy de- nounced today on the floor of the sen- ate anu in remarkable debate there was shown plainly an overwhelming sentiment for putting stop to gambling in the necessities of life
 An amendment to the espionage bill proposed ny Senator Thomas of Colo 'ato o suspend during the war all ex- chana.-, boards of trade and cham
 ters of commerce that permi. specu-
 ldlo9 in foodstuffs was beaten only
 because f was thought the provision had no place in the bill and that it
 should be offered in connection with food control legislation pending in con- gress.
 Senator after senator scored the men
 who have manipulated gram prices and the terms pirates" and rob bers' were freely used. Those who opposed the Thomas amendment as ir- relevant to the legislation before the senate joined with their colleagues in A few objected, however on the ground that legitimate commerce might be choked by stepping all deal
 ng,4 n futures.
 The measures pending were supple mented today by a resolution intro duced by Senator Gore, chairman O. the agriculture committee, calling for appointment by the president of a con troller general of supplies. There have been increasing indications since the return of Herbert c. Hoover with food reports from abroad that the ad- mini~tratioD intends to centTaltze con tro. of the food situation in one man
 Appointment of a food controller would be made possible by passage of The food bills already before congress, but the Gore resolution wou d make his duties more specific and would grant him wider powers.
 Under the C re resolution. the president would be authorized to transfer to the food controller power4 now vested in other departments and hureaos. The food controller would be empowered 10 act with the allied governments in an international agreement for control of food supplies. His contro would extend to fuel and to other necessities 0f life. His sal ary would be that of a cabinet mem- ecribed by congress or by the presi. dent.
 The ofrice would be created for the duration of the war and for nine months after the conclusion of peace.
 Conferring on a fcod controller powers to deal directly with the allies in the exchange of supplies, proposed in the Gore resolution, fits directly into the governments plans for a cen tralized buying arrangement under an international commission.
 Government officials believe one of the most effective ways of preventing rising food prices is to pool buying interests and stop competitive pur. chasing by the allles In this way it is believed markets will stabilize themselves and that with minimum price fixing in force producers will exert themselves to increase the food output.
 Maximum price fixing plans, as eX- plained today by Secretary Houston, do not contemplate a maximum price 1 on staples generally. but application of the principle only when 1t appears | a food ecrner is in sight In this way the asriculural department believes price manipulation cou be controlled in an eftectual manner The depart ment believes it will be possible when the fo.d contrfl bills are passed 10 stop all food speculation for prof. and stll cave the way open fir buy ing of legitimate futures