Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-01
MAY TAKE PLANTS
OF GIANT PACKERS
President Names Special Com
mission to Make Complete
Investigation.
CHANGE HELD NECESSARY
Director Hoover Aims to Pro-
tcct Produce and Civil
ian Consumer.
CHANGE HELD NECESSARY

'PY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. March Sl.-Detcrmi-
nation Of a national policy governing
meat production. sale and distribution
during the war which may include vir-
tual pricc-hxins and definite control or
actual Federal operation OF the big
packing houses has been iutrusted by
h:esidcnt Wilson TO Il special commits
sion Of ave prominent government Of
aciais.
This step. announced tonight. was
taken at thc recommendation OF Food
Administrator Hoover. who advised the
President that he found himself power
l,ss TO protect properly all branches
or tho cattle industry. and that the
governments present course is 'alin ost
!ntc!erab!e in criticism from both pro-
du"er and consumer.
the food administrator suggested.
ana President Wilson now has ap-
proved The plan that a national policy
be determined hy the following officers
ac:img personally CT through author
lied delegates:
The Secretary OF Agriculture. repre-
sent!ng the viewpoint OF the producer:
the. chairman OF ;he Federal Trade
Commission, representing the influence
OF trade conditions; the chairman Of
tho United states Tariff Board. repro
senting economic thought: the Sec.e-
tarN OF Labor. representing the view
point of the civilian consumer. ana tho
food sdminis;-a tor. who has 10 carry
out amy plan adopted.
Mr.. Hoover submitted hi; proposal to
The President IN a letter lie declared
-l,r,,n oh, !.
ent course was necessary for the pro
lection Of the producer and civilian
consumer. and 20 insure the increased
production required to meet the grow
ing needs OF the army and the allies.
CHANGE IN Policy MAY
PRESCHIBE MEAT PURCHASES
This change in policy may take the
form OF more definite and systematic
direction Of the large packers Az to
,he course they are 10 pursue from
mon.h 10 month" wrote the admins
, t"aior, or may even take the form OF
operation OF the packing establish
inenis by the government"
Pointing out that tho increased
quantities needed for cxnort must he
obtained either by Srcaicr production
or by reduction in civilian consuro-
ton. MIR. Hoover says that reduced con
SUMPTION can Ne had mos, casiiy by
moderate restraints. such as ,nentiess
days. and esnplnilca!ly disapproved
an" auem0t 20 lessen consumption by
Increasing prices to tho public
such conservation is obtnincd by
The elimination OF that section of The
community with tho least purchasing
power. he wrote tho President Il
10 go n i'm ft,-l
lection TO price-iXinG, but where tic
purchases OF war necessities in :: given
commodity have reached such = volume
ihtt the purchase Of these con,rodi-
ties trench into the domestic consump-
ton. the operation OF this purchasing
power becomes a condition OF price
fixing. and. to my mind, all theories
80 by the board"
THREE COURSES OPEN.
SAYS HO0vEg'S LETTER
Mr. Hoover said three courses were
open III the matter OF the control OF
meats:
TO abandon direction OF war pur-
chases and conservation measures be-
cause they affect prices. and thereby
10 stimulate profteering and specuia-
ton.
ITO continue the present unsa ,isfac-
tory direction OF large purchases or
| production at fair and st:mu!ativc
profit 20 the producer and with stabili-
cation 10 eliminate speculative risks
and wasteful practices"
The latter policy. Mr.. Hoover said
would result in assuring the pro-
duccr fair returns.
This course is also fraught with
/ dangers he added: 1t leads either
( % voluntary agreement with the
( n hr ~, ib nrn-
I ducers and charged 20 consumers from
/ Gine to time, or 10 actual opera ton
Of the packing plants by the govern
meni. Ii Will mean that all the cur
! rents OF trade fall upon the govern
ment The choice OF alternatives Is
one of determination of the maximum
! contribution to the winning OF the
: war and the choice of the lesser eco
/ nomic evil between such alternatives"
! MORE DESTROYERS NAMED