River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-06-28
Washington Letter
(By James A. Frear, M. CO.


made to the text of the bill. Efforts
to amend the bill were voted down
in Committee but this does not indi-
cate its provisions are perfect for
these same amendments with others
will be considered by the Senate be-
fore the bill becomes a law. AS this
will be more far reaching in charact-,
er than anything ever before enact
ed on the subject Of food, feed and
fuel" further statement may be OF
interest. One of its provisions over
which much controversy exists auth
orizes the President, whenever he
shall find it essential" to license the
importation, expectation, manufac-
ture, storage or distributation Of
any necessaries he may so announce
and thereafter no person shall en-
gage in or carry on any such bust
ness unless he shall first secure a Ii
cense.
Regulations regarding the conduct
Of business will be promulgated
when the licenses are issued. All
cheese factories, creameries, cam
ing factories and other lines of bus
mess affecting food stuffs may be re
ouired to secure license providing
this section remains in its present
form and the President deems Ii
censes are needed. That was argu-
ed by those seeking to amend the
section. The sum Of one hundred
fifty million dollars is to be placed in
the hands Of the President, with
which he is authorized in case OF
emergency "to requisition and take
over for use Of the Government any
factory, mine, or other plant IN
which any necessaries are or may be
manufactured, produced or mined. "
In such case the President is en-
powered to decide what is just COM
pensation for the taking, with rights
of suit or appeal as to adequate pay
ment to be determined by the feder-
al court. This bill is expected to
prevent exactions and extortions now
practiced by food spectators.
A most important proclamation
was issued by the President on June
goth, weerein he says that the period
from June 23rd, to June Goth is des-
ignated as recruiting week for the
regular army and he calls upon un-
married men between the ages of Is
and 40 years, who have no depend
ents and who are not engaged in
pursuits vitality necessary to the pro-
secution of the war. Such men are
urged to enlist to make up the TO
900 vacancies in the Regular Army
authorized under recent law. The
age limit named in the proclamation
is the same under which enlistments
are now accepted in the regular
army and national guard and the
purpose of urging enlistments be-
fore June 80 is believed to indicate
that if the ranks are not Immediate
ly filled by volunteers the army will
be increased to war strength by con-
scription under the new law. The
new army of 500, 900 will not be cal
led in to service until about Septem-
Der 1, according to present plans
but selections will occur from regis
tration lists prior to July Is, there
by permitting a month ard a half in
which to present claims for exempt
ion, and appeals if desired.
Strong efforts are being made by
Administration officials to prevent
contractors and material men from
fleeing the Government when fur
nishing war supplies. It is estimat-
ed the Navy Department will re-
quire 1850, 900 tons of steel during
the year and /. 100000 tons of coal;
also 5O,OOO,O0O barrels of oil and 9TH
er supplies in proportion. Steel man
ufacturers demand $3.50 per ton but
the Department has offered only
$3.50 per ton. Coal dealers wanted
$3.50 per ton for soft coal at the
mines, but the Department offers
only S185, the amount now paid at
Hampton Roads naval station. With
oil SO cents a barrel last year it is
extortion to demand 81 80 now and
as the President has been authorized
to comandeer anything and every
needed for war purposes a certainty