New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-21
end, Senate His Plan to
y,eu Situation in United
States Normal
Wants SIS, 900, 900
For Proper Operation
Autbority Asked to Buy,
cell and Fix Prices in
Emergencies

r.,;,r,on. April 20.-The govern
-. programme for food control
-. ,be war was put before Con-
.o.Asv by Secretary Houston IN
''. '.,usies,ion TO the Senate asking
sor the Department Of Agricult.
ale direct supervision Of food
s..,,op and distribution in the
80 states and requesting s25,OOo'-
y. 49,. .,,ropristion for putting the plan
..,,oritv was asked for the Council
,v.,,opal Defence, in an emergency
!. hay and sell foodstuffs' and TO hx
-vn or minimum prices. AS out
- The Senate, the governments
. sr.t TO make a complete survey
"a, eountry's food supply to deter
-. a. ownership and distribution;
49,. !, necessary, 10 license and eontroi
.,.,ions Of all concerns engaged IN
s.-,nufaeture =. of food or feeds agri-
-,,rr,I implements and all materials
- for agricultural purposes. Au-
a.,;,, !. sought for the Agriculture
,t % take over and operate
s.,,,rps il 1t appears any time
..,.. ia demanded by the public
r.srest. Ia,
80 !, foodstuffs probably wouid
-. a. spplication unnecessary Sec
..,rv Houston declared, as ITS very
600. would tend to keep conditions
..-,J, He proposed that the govern
-, ,Aould have full discretion, say
-, might be wise If an emergency
,,.., TO fix prices on q single COM
-siity.
Investigation Needed First
its plans for an investigation Oh
A, pr,,ent food supply the Agricult-
=, DEPARTMENT has arranged for the
VIZ Of the Federal Trade Commission
aieh with the department. was d.
-,,sd by President Wilson early N
he rear to make an inquiry TO aseer-
ain the amount Of food stocks ard TO
6,,,rnine If the antitrust laws nave
sn violated in food production,
storage and distribution. That in
uiry has been halted for lack OF an
syprUpriation. The present Congress.
hsvuer, has voted money for conduct
Ing 1.-THE House the 100000 asked,
st5 the Senate s25o,0OO
TIE two houses are expected to get
ts,.hsr on an amount to be appropri-
I'D for this specific inquiry. and as
ben n II is available the trade CON-
kbsen will proceed The commits
ssu already is laying plans for the
hsriry, and to-day called into confer
eu more than a dozen Senator'S and
representatives. for suggestions.
Suggestions that the government is
''sf<npisting measures for national
srhibition during the war as a means
rirereuing the food supply are met
w the statement by officials that no
a'ly action in that direction is likely.
y y is not considered necessary at
hs time. Secretary Houston alluded
to-day In his letter 20 the SEN
1py reference 70 European action
restricting the manufacture OF alco-
..lk liquors. He, however. made TO
'N'nnendations.
Power Houston Asks
70 ereet the food situation. Secretary
se..'on told the Senate. the Depart
ID" of Agriculture needs the follow
- Fsathority and power:
10 make a complete survey Of the
'eoa supply OF the nation, with q
y secure full information as to
eeahon. ownership and where ii is
a.. ae's, and complete knowledge as TO
~ nNrumtntalities and agencies that
control. manufacture and distrib-
iood products.
sntr investigation, and in co6pera-
49, ssn with the trade interests in
,.1 70 establish market grades and
~ woii iarm products. including seeds,
~ rs-noarcs for reeeptscles for such
es,-" together with authority to
"a suitable degree of supervision
,>,.ur application through such in
-sa service as may be necessary.
~ Incense and supervise the opera
Pa of all plants, mills, packing
sr,. esnneries. slaughter houses.
. vssss' distllleries, storage houses
49, establishments or factories in
,Ls, 700 or feeds, agricultural i'm
as.-e and machinery and materials
rt;-s' fertilizers, insecticides, fun
- serams, toxins. viruses, and
ar articles required for agri-
f.<, purposes are prepared. manu-
6r Or kept for sale or distribu-
As-,. inis power should include au-
rr..y 70 make rules and regulations
- the use and operation of
e.. sn.erp.1ses, including the taking
si sna operation Of them whenever
M, gurse may be necessary in the
I tsqrire the preference move
IN. s1s ey the common carriers of the
49,. states Of seeds. fertilizers, in
ss.,. fungicides and farm imple-
ns.', y machinery, or the materials
o "a their manufacture.
70 Eaiarss News Service
: y enlarge the existing telegraphie
s<r sss 1ss news service Of the depart
s<.,. sh,eh now covers livestock and
sl,- NC NC certain foods. vegetables and
s,s,,.sess sessrshsbles. in order 10 assist. by
~ ~ comprehensive information
- y n'Pping areas, in the distribu-
3nuoes efocaets according TO the pro-
- e,... e requirements OF the eonsum.
eh Enlargement Of this ser.
~ also tend 70 prevent undue
= any consuming centre and
eeAiust wastes due 70 tenn