The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-06-09
omit MAXIMUM
PRICE FIXING I'm
new FOOD BILLS
Hoover Explains World
Food Situation and
Needs.

the proposals regarding Whole grain
milling and mixed fours will not be
part of the food control legislation at
this time.
Maximum prices and the proposed
change in flour standards have proven
a stumbling block to progress on the
food bills for more than a week. These
provisions have been vigorously con-
tested by representatives of farming
districts who declared that farmers
the country over were unalterably OPP
posed to the fixing of maximum food
prices. Similarly, the proposed modi-
ication Of milling standards has been
opposed by the great cereal manufac-
turers on the ground that it would In
volve extraordinary expense Tor.
changes in milling machinery.
Maximum price fixing has not been
urged by the Hoover Food Control adj
miuAstration at any time. Holland,
Denmark, Sweden and Germany, it
was pointed out yesterday, have tried
general price, fixing and have found it
failure.
The pending food control legislation,
prohibiting the boarding of provisions,
it is stated, provides an adequate
remedy for abnormally high prices
The government is empowered by the
Legislation now contemplated to break
food boards or corners by COM
Wandering and selling at reasona-
BILE price.
The food control administration, it
was stated, believes that adequate con-
troll of the prices of staple products
will be vested in the government
through the wide purchasing, powers
authorized in the pending legislation.
The Hoover Commission, in co-opera-
ton with the Allied Purchasing Com
mission. will have absolute control
over the purchase of food for export.
planned will be fixed by the govern
ment in such way as not to inter-
fere with domestic food prices. The
American consumer will not be COM
PEELED to compete in American markets
as an Individual against the combined
purchasing power of the Allied ma
tions There is always a large surplus
of foodin this country, and this. with
speculation and boarding eliminated,
will insure reasonable prices to the
American consumer.
Explaining the proposed modifica-
ton Of the controY legislation. Mr..
80 far as know the only price
section of the bill under modification
by the House committee is that relat-
ing to fixing a maximum price in case
of corners. There is under debate the
question as to whether the same result
cannot be obtained under the boarding
clauses by which the holders of such a
corner can be compelled to nquidate
such hoard at their own risk and loss,
and by hoard is not meant the 1egiti-
mate stocks of business. but a with
holding of goods against public inter
est. 1t is my impression that the
boarding clause will be the more
workable clause Of the two in the con-
tingency Of attempts to- corner. sup
plies
However, even though maximum
price fixing is eliminated, it is proba-
BILE that the bill will empower the
Hoover commission to virtually con-
troll prices by commando the ma
jor part Of the supply of any com
modify. This weapon will not be used
unless a serious emergency arises, and
then only to stabilize food prices /.
Commenting on the dispatches from
London emphasizing the urgency OF
food exports to England and France,
Mr.. Hoover said yesterday:
sF@sTWG are at war. we must 90 Wnat
success in war demands. He also
fights who helps a fighter fight. That is
the way we can all help in the war,
and if we don't help the war will not
| be won"
The situation abroad was outlined
| by Mr.. Hoover as follows:
"Great Britain normally raises about
one-fourth Of the grain she needs fol
her bread. France about one half. The
additions necessary to make UP the
total quantities needed are brought in
from various other countries. But in
| these abnormal times the native pro.
duction of the fighting allies is greatly
reduced by the withdrawal of mar
| power from the farms to the armies
and munition factories; also by reason
1 Of late frosts this years Grip in the
| United Kingdom, France and Italy il
/ a partial failure. Opportunity to i'm.
| port from certain grain raising coun.
4 tries, as Russia and Rumania, is en-.
| tirely lacking, and from certain others
as Australia, South America and India
is greatly lessened on account Of the
long haul, for which ships cannot be
! spared.
In addition the actual meat con.
sumption of the allied countries is in.
creased by the transfer OF millions Of
| men from sedentary occupations tt
those Of great physical activity and b.
| the wastage incidental to the feedins
of the great armies in the field. There
i must also be recognized the greater
demand for seed grain to maintain the
dairy and meat supplies and the cav
airy horses of the armies"
Americas duty is set forth by Mr.
| Hoover thus:
"Al1 those conditions throw OF
North America the brunt of the bur
den of supplying our co-belligerent
with the human and animal foo,
necessary to maintain their great arm
les in fighting condition. as we'll a
to keep alive and efficient the fani1ie
of the fighters and the great indus
trial army at home
1.-The exports from America neces
sary to meet these needs, which abso
lutely must he met If the war is to b
won, or even is to be carried on a
all during the next year, must be i'm
mediately greater than they hav
been in normal times.
| 1.-THE requirements in cereals alon
for the next year Of the Allies. an
the few neutrals whose needs must b
given some consideration, are a bill
lion bushels The needs of meat, fat
and sugar also are enormous. Nativ
production and imports from othe
1