The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-26
FOOD CONTROL BILL,
ADMINISTRATION MEASURE PRE-.
SENTED IN CONGRESS BY
LEVER.
Provides for Setting up Emergency
Food Distribution Agency Which
VIII be Able to Cope With Situa.
tion Brought About by War.

Washington. May 22.-The second
of the administrations food bills. re-
vised to create an emergency agency
to control, under the presidents di.
rection, distribution and sale of the
necessaries Of life. was introduced in
the house today by Chairman Lever of
the agriculture committee. The first
bill aims at stimulation of produc-
tion and calls for a general survey CT
the country's food resources.
The regulatory measure was re-
drawn after President Wilson had
held q series of conferences with
Herbert c. Hoover, who Is to be fosd
administrators under the bill. and with
Secretary Houston and members Of
the agriculture committee of both
houses. It places the widest powers
Of control over necessaries Of all kinds,
including price fixing, In the hands
OF the executive. ...,..
Consideration of the food measures
will be hurried as much as possible
In congress.
The legislation as now proposed by
the administration, Mr.. Hoover
thinks. will meet the food problem.
He issued this statement tonight re-
garding the second bill:
'The bill covers very ably and in
telligently the powers necessary for
the president to possess in order to set
up competent food administration" 4"
The measure classes specifically az
necessaries food, feeds. shoes and
fuel.
In a statement outlining its pur-
poses. MIR. Levcr said: e.
while the powers are sweeping.
they are flexible and to be used only
when that specifically prescribed con-
ditions have arisen requiring their ex-
ercise. In every instance in which
the bill itself does not specifically de.
fine the requirements Affecting private
conduct, the president must pres
cribe these with precision and GER
tainty. When property is authorized
to be taken by the government just
compensation Is provided for"
Briefly the measure would do these
things: fys -'
g Declare the production, mandfac-
ture. storage. distribution and sale Of
necessaries to be a matter Of public
interest.
Make it unlawful to commit or per-
NIT preventable waste or deterioration
Of necessaries: to restrict supply or
distribution. or to enhance prices to
excessive levels. o. ..t& "a b..
Authorize the president to. establish
standards and grades Of foods to es-
tablish their quality and value.
Authorize licensing Of manufactur.
ing or equitable distribution OF foods
to prevent uneconomical manufacture
or inoquitable distribution; empower
the president to direct the disposition
Of boarded stocks.
Authorize the president to prevent
boarding, monopolization or the exact
ing of excessive profits. by having tho
government either manufacture or
deal In necessaries; authorize the TAX
ing over Of factories or plants for gov
ernment operation IL necessary, pro-
vide proper distribution at fair prices
Authorize the president to prescribe
rules for the conduct of exchanges and
boards of trade. or to prohibit entirely
their operations II in the public in
terest
Authorize the fixing of minimum
prices to the producer to stimulate
production; authorize import duties if
importations threaten operation of
guaranteed minimum prices: author
ize purchase by the government at the
prescribed minimum prices supplies
for allies Of the United States.
Establishment by the president of
maximum prices to break food corners
or to prevent boarding and specula-
ton.
Authorize the changing Of milling
grades or the mixing Of grains in MAX.
ing -four.
Authorize the president to prescribe
restrictions on the use Of foodstuffs IN
the manufacture Of alcoholic liquors.
The measure is based on the war
powers of congress and operates
throughout the country irrespective
Of State lines.
Liquor prohibition legislation i'm
pends both in the senate and house in
connection with the food bills and a,ao