Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-04
DRASTIC POWERS SOUGHT
FOR REGULATION OF FOOD
Sweeping Bill Introduced, With Adj
ministration Approval, by
Chairman Lever.
AUTHORITY FOR PRESIDENT
Matter Of Price-FiNinS Of Necessities
Would be Left I'm His Hands-Pro-
vides for Limitation or Prohibition
Upon Use OF Grain for Liquor.
BY Associated pres.l

WASHINGTON, May 3.-AIsolute au-
;hority TO regulate in its discretion the
production. distribution and prices Of
food and other necessities during the
war was asked OF Congress to-day Dy
the administration.
In a sweeping bill introduced with
administration approval by Chairman
Lever. OF the House Agriculture Com
miitec. it is proposed TO cmpowe.' the
President, under the war clause Of the
Constitution, 10 take these measures
whenever in his opinion the national
emergency shall require:
To fix maximum and minimum prices
for food. clothing, fuel and other nee
essaries, and the articles required for
their production;
TO prescribe regulations 10 govern
the production Of these commodities.
and II necessary to requisition the pro-
ducins factories, mines or other estab-
lishmen,s:
To compel holders of necessities TO
IcIcaSe them IN amounts insurinE
equitable distribution.
TO regulate exchanges in such a way
as TO eliminate market manipulation;
To compel railroads to give prefer
ence 10 the movement OF necessaries;
TO levy such Importation duties as
he finds necessary TO prevent excessive
dumping" of foreign products. and
To impose limitations or prohibitions
upon the use Of grain in the manu-
facture Of liquor
In addition, the Secretary Of AGri-
culture would be empowered TO cstab-
lish standard foCd grades, TO license
and control the manufacture, storage
and distribution of foods. to prescribe
the percentages OF -four to be milled
from wheat. and to regulate the mixing
VI wheat Hour with other flour i'm the
making of bread ami other fond.
NOTHING TO DISTURB
LEGITIMATE ACTIVITIES
In statement tonight. Mr.. Lever
declared there was nothing i'm the
measure to disturb legitimate business
activities. because ''it is hoped that the
mere comforting Of tho more extreme
/
ITS becoming necessary then"
1t is known that officials Of the eX-
ecutive branches Of the government
hold the same view, believing that with
such effective weapons in their pos
session they will encounter no difficulty
in lining up on the side of the public
interest all recalcitrant agencies
The bill is supplemental to the adj
ministration's food measure introduced
in the House earlier in the week pro-
vidinS for a survey Of tic country's
food resources, and comforting certain
powers 10 prevent speculation. This
measure was ordered favorably report
cd from tho Agricultural Committee.
to day. after the committee had reduced
the appropriation carried from s25. 900
600 TO approximately $4,000, 900, and
had eliminated section authorizing
the Secretary Of Agriculture to order
The immediate sale of any food I'm such
condition that unless promptly disposed
OF it will become unfit for use. The
section will be incorporated in "a com
ing third measure, which is to confer
broad powers on tho Council of Ma
tional Defense.
Mr.. Lever expects to get both OF the
bills up for action In the House next
week. The first already is pending in
! the Senate. and tho supplemental meas
urc probably will he presented there
o-morrow.