The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-08-16
HOOVER WARNS
FOOD PROFITEERS
I'VE Shall Not Hesitate to Apply
Drastic Coercive Powers
Conferred by Congress"
TO STABILIZE, NOT DISTURB
Full Force of Law to be Used " Spec
uiators Fail to Heed It-Work
Begins at Once Toward Orqani-
zins Saving Campaign.

Washington.--Herbe c.. Hoover's
forty-third birthday. was celebrated by
his appointment by executive order OF
the President as head of the food ad-
ministration. The pen with which the
President signed the food control bill
and the executive order was presented
to Mr.. Hoover as a birthday present.
With the appointment OF Mr.. Hoover
the Government assumed control OF
the nations food supply
Immediately after his appointment
Mr.. Hoover isued statement outlining
in a general way the purpose Of the
food administration. It's aims, he said,
are threefold-the elimination OF VIC
ious speculation, the retention OF suffi-
cient supplies at home to guard against
shortage and the stimulation OF the
production and conservation OF food
by every possible means.
He advocated the use in this coun-
try as far as possible. OF the less con-
centrated and more perishable foods
such as fish. corn and other cereals,
with wheat grain. beef and dairy pro-
is for overseas shipment. He ex-
pressed the utmost confidence in the
patriotism and common sense OF the
American business men and house
wives. 1t will not be the policy of the
food board, he said, to proceed with
host OF punitive measures, but by CO.
ordination with the various trades to
effect such constructive regulations as
will render gambling and extortion i'm
possible and will tsnd to stabilize food
prices.
All May Give Aid.
The service of conservation. he said,
is service in which every man. wo-
man and child in the United States
may enter, and the food administra-
ton will ask all classes and all trades
to cooperate in the undertaking and
become themselves members OF the
food administration. A reduction in the
weekly consumption a person of one
pound OF wheat -four. seven ounces OF
meat, seven ounces of fat and seven
ounces OF sugar will, Mr.. Hoover as
serted be OF immeasurable aid and en-
couragement to our allies. help our
own growing army and effectively
serve the great and noble cause Of
humanity in which the nation has en-
barked. In part, Mr. Hoover said;
The food administration is called
into being TO stabilize and not to dis
turb conditions, and to defend honest
enterprise against iIlegitimate compe-
tition. 1t has been devised TO correct
the abnormalities and abuses that
have crept into trade by reason OF the
world disturbance and to restore bust
ness as far as may be to a reasonable
basis
The business men OF the country, I
am convinced, as a result OF many hun
dreds OF conferences with representa-
tives of the great forces OF food sup
ply realize their own patriotic obHga-
tion and the solemnity of the situation
and will fairly and generously cooper
ate in meeting the national obligation.
7 do not believe that drastic force need
be applied TO maintain economic dis
tribution and sane use OF supplies by
the great majority OF the American
people.
Depends on Business Men.
have learned a deep and abiding
faith in the intelligence OF the average
American business man. whose aid we
anticipate and depend on to remedy
the evils developed by the war. which
ne admits and dsplores as deeply as
ourselves.
But n there be those who expect
10 exploit this hour Of sacrifice. II
there are men or ORGANIZATIONS schem-
ing 20 increase the trials OF this coun-
try we shall not hesitate 20 apply the
Pull drastic coerclve powers that Con.
gress has conferred upon US In this IN
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