The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-30
Enter Measures in Congress to
Smash Prices.
Provide for Government Con-
troI of Food Crops.
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AIM
Follows Up Secretary HOus-
tons Report of April is.
Eliminates Spectators; Asks
$25,OOO,OOO Appropriation.

Washington, April 3O.-The admin
istration food bills were introduced in
the house today by Chairman Lever
of the agriculture committee. They
do not cover price fixing or control OF
the use of grains for distilling liquors
These subjects will be covered in bill
to be introduced later.
The bills introduced today are de-
signed to stimulate production, pre-
vent hoa rding, make for equitable dis
tribution, and suspend the law prohib-
iting the mixing of flour. They con-
tain provisions to prevent conflict with
the antitrust and interstate commerce
laws.
The Lever bill appropriates SIS, OOO,-
900 for the enforcement and author
lied the appointment of two additional
assistant secretaries of agriculture to
administer it. 1t states that it con-
fers and prescribes power, authority.
duties, obligations and prohibitions
because of the national emergency and
to secure an adequate supply and
equitable distribution of food for the
government and people of the United
States and to protect them against in
furious speculation manipulations and
controls. Representa- tive Lever made
this explanatory statement:
Stimulate Production.
carrying out the plans agreed upon
and outlined by Secretary Houston in
his report of April 8, to the senate for
controlling the food supply of the
nation during the war. A companion
proposal will be introduced within the
next few days
These measures are based on the
war power and merely undertake to
care for abnormal conditions caused
by the existing emergency as basis
stimulate production; to conserve the
supply and to bring about equitable
distribution and to prevent excessive
prices of food.
THE measure empowers the secre-
tary of agriculture to make a thor
the country. We must know our food
resources before we can adequately
deal with the matter of distribution
and prices. 1t enlarges the activities
of the department of agriculture, espe-
cially in the direction of improved
marketing facilities.
Sell Farmer Seed at Cost.
IF the farmer is to be asked to pro-
duce more foodstuffs he should have
some assurance that their proper dis
tribution be provided. 1t enables the
secretary of agriculture to buy and
sell at cost to the farmers seeds suit
able for food production in restricted
areas where necessity is greatest.
1T provides for the establishment
and enforcement of standards of
grades for agricultural products and
fertilizers. 1t authorizes the secretary
of agriculture to license and control
when necessary any business of manu-
facture, storage or distribution of
foods, food material feeds. and
gives similar power to compel licenses
to disgorge unreaso able boarded
stocks of these commodities, to re-
frain from unjust or discriminatory
practices or charges and to exact fair
prices only.
Secretary of Agriculture Is Head.
1T gives the secretary power to re-
quire prompt disposition of food which
is about to go out of condition. so as
to preserve its food value; to control
the market movement and distribu-
ton of perishable products. to pre-
scribe percentages of -four which shall
be milled from wheat and to permit
or compel wholesome and economical
mixtures of wheat flour or wheat
products with other products.
THE measure confers sufficient in
cidental powers upon the secretary of
agriculture to carry out the purposes.
and, inasmuch as it is framed under
the war clauses of the constitution. It
will apply turnout the country, ire
spective of state lines.
The agriculture committee will be-
gin prompt consideration of this
measure and we shall expedite its con-
SideratiOn in the house -