Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-15

trade dealing in futures In foodstu6s
during the war, was rejected today
by the senate, AZ to "a.
| WASHINGTON. May 14-Suspensjon
/ during the war of all stock exchanges,
| boards of trade and chambers of COM
merce which permit speculation in flu
| lures on ToodStuffS was proposed to-
day by Senator Thomas. Democrat. of
| Colorado, as amendment to the ad-
ministratiOn espionage bill.
Senator Thomas said he had received
scores of demands that gambling in ne
| cessities OF life be stopped by congress.
He cited the recent soaring of May and
July wheat futures in the Chicago mar
| ket to show the need of immediate &C
| ton to stop food gambling"
Opposing the amendment, Senator
| Overman, of North Carolina, in charge
of the bill. pleaded against loading
| down" the espionage measure with cir
/ relevant amendments. Although, he
said, the Thomas amendment appealed
| TO him in many respects, 1t should be
| considered later with the food control
bill.
\ similar plea was made by Senator
| Lewis, of Illinois, who said, however,
some provision like this must be
| made eventually"
| A violent debate Immediately follow
| ed. during which strong opposition de-
| velOped to considering the amendment
| in connection with the espionage bill.
Pirates and robbers" were terms APP
piled by senators TO food spectators
during the debate. Lamp post hangings-~
again were referred to as a remedy.
NATURE OF OPPOSITION.
| Senators who opposed the amendment
I did so on the ground that the object
should be accomplished In another way. I
and some thought ii would stihe com
MERGE. The great majority of opinion
! favored some drastic action TO stop food
/ gambling and speculation which makes
| for artificial prices and threatens the
nation with the pinch of hunger.
Senator Lewis, Democrat, said he
| thought legislation such proposed by
! Senator Thomas would work injury to
many and should not be passed with
out elaboration.
What is needed at this hour" said
he. "is a provision of law authorizing
the president on the evidence satisfac-
tory TO him that food is being un-
necessarily held, to seize such food and
order its distribution under the proper
branch of the government with compen-
sation to the owner and a just market
price assured the people"
II think said Senator Reed. Demo-
crat, of Missouri, that means ought TO
be taken TO stop speculation in food
stuffs within the limits of the powers of
congress. There never has been In the
history Of the world an agitation that
parallels the present one. We are prac-
tiCally told that the United States Is
on the verge of starvation and that
the world without is starving. When
that informa ton is put forward men are
astonished that the prices for foodstuffs
mount. If "A plan had been conceived
to make them mount the one ado3ted
could not have been improved upon by
the ingenuity Of man or the devil him
self.
THE thing TO teach the. American peo-
pie now is that America viii not be
starved. that she can't be starved and
the consequence will be to lessen tho
condition that confronts us"
Food spectators were denounced as
robbers by Senator Kenyon. Of Iowa,
who recommended. however. that the
food speculation measures be held over
to be considered with the food bill.
IF congress can't stop this robbery
and that is q mild term for 1.-THE peo-
pie will find some way, if they have to
make use OF the lamp post"
Senator Kirby. of Arkansas. support
ing the Thomas amendment, denounced
food Speculation as parasites"
Senator Smith. of South Carolina.
urged that action be withheld until the
food bill was taken up. He said the
Thomas amendment would paralyze
fixed commercial channels and might do
more harm than good.
REGULATE THE PIRATES.
we should regulate these pirates,
he said. but not destroy the usual mar
ket places. which have a legitimate use.
Let US go after these men who are spec
ulating in food. but rot destroy estab-
lished means of distribution.
Senator kellogg, of Minnesota. offered
an amendment to the Thomas amend
ment providing that actual and lesiti
mate future trading should not be pro-
hibited when physical delivery of
products traded i'm was accomplished i'm
settlements.
Immediate action TO check specula-
ton was urged by Senator Vardaman.
of Mississippi
Il never understood" he said, how
the people stand for being despoiled by
a lot of gamblers, in whose interests
the exchanges are run" He said he
favored. but would not propose, extend
ing the Thomas amendment to susDsr&
cotton as we'll a. foodstuT exchanges.
Senator Smith. of Georgia. thought
the senate would take Up food control
legislation after il disposes of the
espionage bill and believed ii better to
wait until then and have full consider
alton.
Senator Thomas replied he did not
doubt there was plenty of food in the
country. but that the pressing ques
ton was legislation to enable the or
binary man TO get his share.
Senator Overman. in charge Of the ad-
ministration espionage hill. announced
today an effort would De made to re-
store the press censorship to the meas
ure before passage.
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