Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-05-25
FOOD CONTROL ASA
WARTIME MEASURE
POWERS ASKED ARE NO GREAT
HAVE FOUND NECESSARY.
PRESIDENT OUTLINES PLAN
Herbert c. Hoover as Administrator
Without Pay Asks Cooperation of
PubIic-Fix Price as Guaran-
tee.-Help to Farmers.

Washington-Presiden Wilson has
outlined the administrations food con-
troll program and declared the pow
ers asked for by the government are
no greater than those other govern
ments at war have been compelled
to take. There Is no intention, he
said, to restrain or interfere with nor
NAL processes of production.
The statement also makes formal
announcement that Herbert c. Hoo
yer has been asked to become food
administrator, and that he has &C.
copied on condition that neither he
nor his immediate associates receive
any pay for their services. The state
ment in full follows:
Assure Cooperation.
ut is very desirable, in order to
prevent Misunderstanding or alarms
and to assure cooperation in vital
matter, that the country should I'M
derstand exactly the scope and pur-
pose of the very great powers which
l have thought necessary in the cir
cumstances to ask the congress to
put in my hands with regard to our
food supplies. Those powers are very
great indeed, but they are no great
er than it has proved necessary to
lodge in the other governments which
are conducting this momentous war,
and their object is stimulation and
conservation, not arbitrary restraint
or injuries interference with the nor
NAL processes of production. They
are intended to benefit and assist
the farmer and all those who play a
legitimate part in the preparation,
distribution and marketing of food
stuffs.
ut is proposed to draw a sharp
line Of distinction between the nor
NAL activities of the government rep
resented in the department OF agri-
culture in reference to food produc-
ton, conservation and marketing on
the one hand and the emergency &C.
tivities necessitated by the war in
reference to the regulation of food
distribution and consumption on the
other. All measures intended directly
to extend the normal activities of the
department of agriculture in refer
ence to the production, conservation
and the marketing Of farm crops
will be administered, as in normal
times through that department, and
the powers asked for over distribu-
ton and consumption over exports,
imports, prices, purchase and requisi-
ton of commodities, storing and the
like, which may require regulation
during the war, will be placed in the
hands of commissioner of food ad
ministration appointed by the presi-
dent and directly responsible to him.
objects Of Legislation.
1.-THE objects sought to be served
by the legislation asked for are:
Full inquiry into the existing avail
able stocks Of foodstuffs and into the
cost sand practices of the various
food producing and distributing
trades.
"The prevention Of all unwarranted
boarding of every kind and Of the
control of foodstuffs by persons who
are not in any legitimate sense pro-
ducers, dealers, or traders.
"The requisition when necessary for
the public use of food supplies and
of the equipment necessary for hand
ling them properly.
1.-THE licensing of wholesome and
legitimate mixtures and milling per-
1.-THE prohibition of the unnecessary
or wasteful use Of foods.
Establish Prices.
@-sk t. n-lr 81 - nNnh
lish prices-but not in order to limit
the profits Of the farmers. but only
to guarantee to them when neces-
sary a minimum price which will is
sure them a profit where they are
asked to attempt new crops and to
secure the consumer against ex-
tortion by breaking up corners and
attempts at speculation when they
occur by fixing temporarily rea-
sonable price at which middlemen
must sell.
Il have asked Mr.. Herbert Hoover
to undertake this all-important task
of food administration. He has ex-
pressed his willingness to do 80 on
condition that he Is to receive no
payment for his services and that the
whole OF the force under him. exclu-
sive of clerical assistance, shall be
employed SO far as possible upon the
same volunteer basis. He has ex-
pressed his confidence that this diff
ficult matter of food administration
can be successfully accomplished
through the voluntary cooperation
and direction of Legitimate distribu-
tors of food stuffs and with the help
OF the women of the country.
Must Have Cooperation.
Although 1t is absolutely neces-
sary that unquestionable powers shall
be placed in my hand In order to in
sure the success of this administra-
ton of the food supplies of the coun-
try, l am confident that the exer-