Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-21
AUTHORITY ASKED
TO FIX PRICES IN
AN EMERGENCY
Secretary Houston Recon-
mends Steps Needed to
Meet Situation.
REQUESTS s25.o00,Ooo TO
PUT PLAN IN OPERATION
Wants Power to Take Direct SUI
pervision of Production and
Distribution.
LOOKING INTO PRESENT SUPPLY
Makes No Suggestions as to- National
Prohibition as Means OF
Conservation.
LOOKING Nro PRESENT SUPPLY
lRv .Aesnciatcd Prcss.I


WASHINGTON April 20.-The gov
crrments program for food control
during the war was put before Con-
ercss to-day by Secretary Houston in
a communica ton to the Senate asking
power for the Department of Agricul-
ture TO take direct supervision OF food
production and distribution in the
United States, and requesting a SIS
100000 appropriation for putting the
plan into operation.
Authority was asked for the Coun-
Gil of National Defense. in an emers-
cncy. To buy and sell foodstuffs and to
fix minimum or maximum prices.
AS outlined TO the Senate the gov
crnments plan is as follows:
ITO make Il complete survey OF the
food supply of the nation. with view
to secure full Information as to it's
location. ownership and where it is
needed, and complete knowledge as to
the instrumentalitics and agencies that
own, control. manufacture and distri-
butte food products.
After investigation. and in CO.
operation with the trade interests in
volved. to establish market grades and
classes OF farm products, including
seeds. and standards for receptacles
for such products. together with au-
thori,y TO effect u suitable degree of
supervision of their application through
such inspection service as may be
necessary.
WOULD OPERATE PLANTS
If CONSIDERED NECESSARY
ITO license and supervise the opera
ton OF all plants, mills. packing houses.
|
distilleries. storage houses. or other
establishments or factories in which
food or feed agricultural implements
and machinery and materials therefor.
fertilizers. insecticides. fungicides,
serums. toxins. viruses and any other
articles required for agricultural pur-
poses are prepared manufactured ,-+or
kept for sale or distribution. This
power should include authority to make
rules and regulations governing the
use and operation of such enterprises,
including the taking over and operation
OF them whenever such course may
be necessary in the public interest.
To require the preference movement
by the common carriers OF the United
States of seeds, fertilizers, insecticides
fungicides, and farm implements or
machinery. or the materials required in
their manufacture.
To enlarge the existing telegraphic
market news service of the depart
mcnt. which now covers live stock and
meats and certain foods. vegetables
and other perishables. in order to as
Sist. by securing comprehensive infor-
nation from all shipping areas, in
the distribution OF products according
TO the proportionate requirements OF
the consuming centcrs. Enlargement
Of this service would also tend to pre-
Vent understandings III any consuming
center. and provide against wastes duo
TO temporary oversupply OF pcrishablcs
in particular communities. The SER
vice would further assist in securing
direct routings and thereby relieve. to
some extent, at least congestion OF
transportation lines. 1t would also sdi-
rectly aid farmers by furnishing infor-
nation which would put them on an
equality with buyers and enable them
to consian unsOld products to points
where there is the greatest need for
them.
MERE ENiarENCE or POWER
WOULD he SUFFICIENT
I'm case of extreme emergency, the
government should have power to pur-
chase. store and subsequently dispose
of food products TO groups of people
or communities organized in So,no
form, and to fix maximum or minimum
prices Perhaps the exercise of this
powcr should be lodged i'm the Council
OF National Defense. to be used only
/ when directed by the President. 1t Is
] i'ossible that the mere existence of the
lower would make action unnecessary.
| ':fc government should have full dis
| cretion In the matter. II might be wise
| I" tx a minimum price to producers
| tor only one important commodity. Just
as II might be wise TO fix maximum
! rr.cc which consumers might be#ex-
pccted TO pay for only one or several
| products.
| III is estimated that approximately
So o00.0o0 will he required to carry out
~" plans outlined herein. In order
tha- prompt steps may 3e taken to put Z
thc.n into effect. IL is urged that Inn
mediate action be taken to give the de.
,fsS,Sos 90 in diamonds a, cost prices--
LCMSDES'S.--Adv.e VI sFTi !{3s