The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-19
FOOD GAMBLERS
PLUMBER PEOPLE
HAVE TAKEN FIFTY MILLIONS
MONTH FOR THE PAST FIVE
MONTHS, SAYS HOOVER.
GET QUARTER BILLION
Wants Control Law to Prevent ExtOr.
ton, Not to Set Up Food Dictatorship
Is His Statement - Flour at Sli
Should BE SO, He Says.

Washington, June 19.-Food specula-
tors have been taking S5OOOO,OO0 a
month for the last five months-a total
Of quarter of a billion dollars-from
the American people, Herbert c. Hoover
today told senators in explaining the
purposes of the food control bill now
before congress.
Disclaiming entirely that the bill sets
up food dictatorship. Mr.. Hoover told
senator's its purpose was to organize
the resources Of the country and the
people themselves into food admins.
tration TO limit middlemen's commits
sions and prevent extort
With righteous manu- Ht. and
distributors" he said "the = "foh, -
should not have been over SO caI i.
Yet II averages $14. In the last "
months, $3.50, 900 900 has been extracte~
from the American consumer in excess
OF normal profits of manufacturers and
distributors"
Not a single national trade associa-
tion, Hoover told the senators, is op.
posed to the food control bill.
The Real Question.
THE real question" Mr.. Hoover said
in a prepared statement preliminary TO
senatorial questioning, "is whether the
shortage will continue next year and
what will be the needs Of the allies and
America. Despite the reduced con-
sumption Of the allies they will require
a larger amount Of cereals next year
than ever. The allies are more isolated
in food sources 1t takes three times
the tonnage and double the trouble TO
get Australian wheat. Crop failures in
Argentina give no hope Of relief from
there before next spring.
"The allies are dependent on North
America for most Of their food imports.
We should be able to supply sixty per
cent Of what they require. The other
forty per cent must be made up by
further denial on their part and saving
on ours We can increase our sur
plus. The situation for them next year
means increased privation. Without
an adequate food supply, no European
population will continue TO fight, and
we shall find ourselves alone against
Germany.
Russian Revolt Was Food Riot.
"The Russian revolution was a food
riot and even yet. that ally is temporar-
lily paralyzed. Responsibility rests on
our government for failure OF democ.
racy through a shortage OF food"
Turning to domestic conditions. Mr..
Hoover said this country has been ex.
periencing unprecedented prices and
rampant speculation" citing how mid
dlemen and all other persons in the dis
tribution processes have been purchas-
ing increasing supplies 20 avert ind,'
vidual shortage. Mr.. Hoover cited. the
canning trade as an example where the
entire output OF vegetables and fish for
1917 has been disposed OF already be-
fore 1t has even reached the Gamers
He predicted further high prices. Thou.
sands OF men, he said. who heretofore
have never owned a dollars worth Of
foodstuff are now speculating IN neces.
stiles
Food Prices Lower Abroad.
"The average prices to the consumers
In countries where food administration
is now in effect are tower than those
in the United States" he said. "In
England, the price OF bread is even
25 per cent below the price we pay
believe that unless some administra'
tion OF our food is taken we will look
back at these prices as being moder'
ate"
Mr.. Hoover denied that the bill es
tablishes a food dictatorship. A com
mission TO take charge OF production
and distribution OF -four, sugar, AMI
possibly few other principal commod
tiles, Mr. Hoover said, is being contem
plated.
Senator Gore Opposes.
Chairman Gore Of the agriculutrs
committee, and Senator Reed OF Mis-
souri,. leading the opposition 20 the bill
took n leading part In questioning Mr.
Hoover.
"Is resort TO these extraordinary pow
ers only because OF the war;" asked
Senator Gore.
"To provide not only more food for
the allies but for ourselves. Mr.. Hoo
yer replied Even II we had not go,
ten into the war, we would have been
up against this tremendous demand
from Europe, and probably driven tc
some legislation TO protect our own
people"
Mr.. Hoover disclaimed authorship
personal interest or responsibility for
the wording Of the fuel bill.
Senator Reed asked who was respon
slble for the clauses relating 20 fuel
and Senator Sheppard. OF Texas, OK
plained that Il was for the presidents
information
Not Fair 10 President.
1T Is not fair 90 the president 10 say
that" Senator Gore interjected. II may
say that I had several talks with him
on the bill and he expressed great sur
prise at some OF the things that ar,
I'm a."
Senator Reed fererred 20 section
which he contended would permit N,
government to take from cribs and bin
grain stored there In excess OF th'