Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-07-18
PLAN To REMOVE
BASIC CAUSES Of
FOOD BILL FIGHT

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 49,
Sentiment in the senate toward COM
promising differences on food control
apparently crystallized on a group
of amendments drawn up at joint con-
ferences of democratic leaders.
While on the senate floor another
day was spent in criticism of the de-
fense council and other executive bod
les, a reprint of the bill was made en-
bodying the leaders proposals which
are expected to remove many basic OBJ
jectlons and develop general support.
Principal -cVlsions recommended by
the leaders are for limitation of gov
ernment control of foods, feeds and
fuel including kerosene and gasoline;
creation of a special board Of food ad-
ministration of three salaried commits
sioners, instead Of administration by an
individual; fixing by congress OF a
basic minimum price of $1.75 per
bushel for No. Northern wheat; ex-
tension of government licensing of ele-
vators, farm machinery, factories,
packing houses, coal mines and dealers,
fertilizer producers and wholesalers of
such products; and government pur-
chase and sales to secure reasonable
prices of fuel, wheat -four, meal, beans
and potatoes only.
Voting on these proposals and other
amendments is expected to begin to-
day. Among the first to come up prob
ably be that to restrict sale to the gov
ernment of products in which the vol
unteer advisers of the defense council
are personally interested.
Scores Contract Policy.
- Senator McKellar made long
eech denouncing the contract policy
OF the councils advisory body. The
seven per cent. commissions for super
visiting construction Of army canton
ment camps, he declared, will milk
the government" of about $250,000 for
each of the sixteen camps. He charged
that inside rings" dominate contracts
for the army let out competitive bids.
World-old standards Of honesty and
hics, declared Senator Johnson, of
California require that government rep
resentativesq shall not serve in dual
capacity-for themselves and the gov
ernment Senator Townsend, of Mich
igan, warned that "a host of vultures
aresdocking to Washington" to secure
war contracts, and that the opportunity
for grafters might develop a public
scandal.
Shoe contracts were the basis of
criticism by Senator Kenyon, of Iowa,
republican.
During the debate Herbert Hoover,
the food administrator, also was crit
icised by Senator Gore and warmly de-
tended by Senators Chamberlain and
Myers. Senator Weeks attacked the
shipping board and the fleet corpora
ton for not Fastening action on the
shipping program. The opinion was
general early today that the bipartisan
compromise amendments would go far
toward solving the senate's difficulties
over the legislation. considerable
faction nlanS however to fight for gov
ernment control of iron and steel
products and others, favor food board
O. five, instead of three.
The amendment creating the board
as drafted by the leaders provides that
THE president is authorized
ard directed to appoint by and with
the advice and consent of the senate,
three commissioners, at an annual sal
ary of $7500 who shall constitute
q board of food administration and
who shall constitute board of food
administration and who shall perform
such duties in carrying out the pur-
poses of this act as the president shall
Airect. One of said commissioners
shall be a farmer actually engaged
at the time of his appointment in the
cultivation of the soli. The president
shall designate the members of said
board"