The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-04-01
FEPyRAL CONTROL
TO MEATS
PRESIDENT DESIGNATES A
COMMISSION TO FORMU-
LATE POLICY.
WILL NOT RAISE PRICES
Hoover's Suggestion for Price Fix
ing and Voluntary Restriction of
Consumption Approved - Food
Dictator in Earnest Campaign.

! OlCldlOl Ill EdlllCSl SdIllpdl6i'
Washington, April l.-Determi-
nation OF national policy govern
ing meat production sale and dis
tribution during the war, which may
include virtual price fixing and defi-
mite control or actual federal oper-
alton OF the big packing houses, has
been intrusted by President Wilson
to a. special commission OF five
prominent government officials.
This step, announced Sunday, was
taken at the recommendation of
Food Administrator Hoover, who
advised the president that he found
himself powerless to protect prop
erly all branches of the cattle in
dustry, and that the governments
present course is almost intolerable
in criticism from both producer and
consumer
Mr.. Hoover asked that the presi-
dent extend to meat the policy in
itiated in steel, copper and other
commodities.
The food administrator suggested,
and President Wilson now has ap-
proved the plan, that a national pol
icy be determined by the following
officers, acting personally or
through authorized delegates: The
secretary OF agriculture, represent
ing the viewpoint OF the producer;
the chairman OF the federal trade
commission, representing the inhu-
ence OF trade conditions the chair
man of the United States tariff
board, representing the economic
thought; the secretary OF labor, rep
rescnting the viewpoint of the civil
ian consumer, and the food admins
traitor who has TO carry out any
policy adopted,
Hoover Submits Proposal.
Mr.. Hoover submitted his propos-
al to the president in 4 letter out
lining the trials of his organization
in seeking to stimulate production
and at the same time prevent rob
berry of the average citizen by prof.
teering. He declared some change
in the governments present course
was necessary to protect the pro-
ducer and civilian consumer, and to
insure the increased production re
quired to meet the growing needs of
the army and the allies.
This change in policy may take
the form OF more definite and sySte-
matte direction Of the large packers
as to the course they are to pursue
from month to month" wrote the
administrator, "or may even take the
form of operation Of the packing es-
adjustments by the government"
Since the United States entered
the war allied purchases Of meat for
both civilian and military purposes
have been consolidated, and it is be-
coming necessary for this govern
ment to coordinate them with or
ders for the American army and
navy to prevent conflict in execu-
ton.
The result, Mr.. Hoover said, is
practical domination of prices,
which was recognized in pork last
September by rough assurance to
swine producers OF a minimum of
$3.50 for their product. Present in
dications are that beef purchases
will be increased soon to the point
where they may affect prices mate
rally.
Opposes Higher Prices.
Pointing out that increased guam
titles needed for export must be OBJ
tained either by greater production
or by reduction in civilian consump-
ton, and probably by both, Mr..
Hoover expressed the opinion that
reduced consumption can be haG
most equitably by voluntary sacri-
flee and moderate restraints, such as
meatless days, and emphatically dis
approves any attempt to lessen con-
sumption by increasing prices to the
public.
Such conservation is obtained by
the elimination of that section OF
the community with the least pur-
chasing power" he wrote the presi-
dent.
"In other words, conservation by
price becomes conservation for the
rich and not for the poor; whereas
an extension of the conservation
policy now in force places reduction
in consumption where it rightly be-
longs-on those who can save from
plenty, not upon those who save
| from nourishment."