Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-10
FOOD BILL ON WAY
TO A SPEEDY PASSAGE
Influence of President, as
Voiced by Senator Smith,, -
Removes Obstacles
By RALPH SMITH,

WASHINGTON, d. c., July The
influence of President Wilson and his
advisers respecting the food control
legislation, as voiced by Senator Hoxe
Smith again today, predominated in the
senate and ironed out the chief OBJ
stacles In the way of speedy passage of
this important measure
Senator Smith made a stirring and
effective appeal to his colleagues to
rally to the Support of the bill, and to
cease their efforts to load it down with
extraneous matter in no way connected
with the food problem, but calculated to
endanger the enactment of the legisla-
ton
As a result of Senator Smiths ap-
peal, accompanied by the support Of
other friends of the administration, the
food bill was in good shape and on
its way TO speedy passage when the
senate recessed at o'clock tonight.
The measure was in a precarious state
when the senate met today as the result
of senate action yesterday in adoption
OF the so-called "bone-dry" amendment.
This proposal was fathered by Senator
Cummins, of Iowa. Republican, and
provided that none of the spurious
liquor in bond should be sold after the
passage of the legislation. Adoption of
this amendment was so repugnant to
many senators that 1t became apparent
the measure would be debated irfdefi
nitely. as it would have been impossible
to secure the necessary two-thirds
vote for a cloture.
President Wilson himself took hand
in the matter last night. He realized
the new danger Senators Martin, Rob
inson, of Arkansas, and Hoke Smith
were requested to take the situation in
hand. At an early morning conference
1t was agreed that Senator Smith should
propose a reconsideration of the section
containing the prohibition amendment,
and that Senator Robinson should offer
the administration plan of prohibiting
the distillation of foodstuffs into spir-
its. $685..
When the senate seemed hopelessly
involved in a maze of amendments and
substitutes relating to the whisky trat-
fic, Senator Smith secured the floor.
He pointed out that, with the APPROX
al of the president and Mr.. Hoover, a
number Of irrelevant subjects originally
contained in the food control bill had
beer stricken, and now he urged sena-
tors to cease their effort to add addi-
tional matter which would hinder or in
terfere with the passage of the bill as
amended.
In concluding he said:
SENATOR SMITH - ADl1nGSS:
"Mr. President. l did not approve the
bill called the food control bill as it
first came from the department of ag-
riculture, but the Objectionable features
have been stricken, with the approval OF
the president and his representatives.
Indeed, they agreed that the objection
able features should never have been
placed i'll the hill
THE president urges prompt passage
Of the food control features Of this bill,
and declares they are essential to the
vigorous conduct of the war. Let us lay
aside for the time being our pet theo-
r!es of legislation. Let us refrain from
adding them to this food bill. Let US
defer all things not essential
Let US place the food supply in the
hands OF the president to conduct the
war, so that it will add to our strength
in the war.
THE energy and force of every Amer
lean should support our nation. Let us
concentrate our forces. Let us put our
hearts. our hands and our bodies into
this struggle, until, by. Gods help, We