The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-26
FOOD EMBARGO
TO BE IN FORCE
All Wheat in U. S. Bought
BY Neutrals Will Be
: Seized
10-CENT LOAF
is DOOMED
Hoover Predicts Drop in
Prices of Necessities Will
Come Soon

Washington, June 26.-Action by Pres
ident Wilson yesterday in signing the
export control bill is expected to be fol-
lowed soon by definite measures to cur
tail the shipment of wheat and other
foodstuffs to neutral countries.
IT was said at the department of COM
merce yesterday that within forty eight
hours the machinery of the board of ex-
ports control, which the president has
authorized TO administer the bill, will
be in operation.
Secretary Redfeld, whose department
will be represented on the board by DR..
Edward +. Pratt, chief of the bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce, said
the board would probably start its work
by communicating all the wheat that
has been purchased in this country by
neutral buyers from abroad. A plan has
been worked out under which neutral
countries are to be rationed from what
ever surplus is available after the needs
of the United States and its allies are
taken care of
The board of export control will be
made up OF representatives of the de-
partments of state, agriculture and COM
merce and food administration 1t is
thought likely that Counsellor Polk of
the United States department will act as
chairman of the board In anticipation
of the passage of the bill Mr.. Polk has
been in constant communication with
the British and French governments.
1t is proposed to regulate the export
shipments through system OF licensing
which will be administered under the d.
rection of the department OF commerce.
At the office of Herbert c. Hoover,
the food administrator. it was predict
cd yesterday that the putting into OPP
era ton of the new law, together with
the expected passage of the food control
bill and the disclosures concerning COM
parative prices in England and the Unit
ed States, will be followed by general
reduction in food prices throughout the
United States. 1t is regarded as certain
that the 10 cent loaf OF bread is doomed
and that a cheaper loaf will come on the
market.
Officials of the state department fully
appreciate the likelihood of complications
developing with the neutral countries
of Europe over the curtailment of food
shipments. AT the same time it is felt
that the United States must give first
thought to the needs of itself and its
allies.
"rhe United States" said a member of
the cabinet yesterday, referring to the
export control act and the program un-
der the food control bill, sis now about
to take the steps that will insure vic
tory in the war"
The fight over the administrations
food control bill shifted to the Senate
yesterday.
The opposition to the measure some
what demoralized by its defeat in the
House, conceded that the bill viii pass,
but the hope is expressed that it may
be materially modified in various aspects.
Friends of the bill, on the other hand, |
are prepared to follow up their success
in the lower branch OF Congress by quick /
action in the Senate.
The president already has informed
them that unless the measure is passed /
by the first of July it will be valueless /
in so far as the problem of handling he
coming harvests is concerned. Therefore |
it is their purpose TO pass the bill this
week.
Defeated on the broad question of per
hitting the manufacture of liquor from
foodstuffs during the period of the war
the "wets" are now relying on the Senate