The Washington times., 1918-03-12

posed that there would probably be
nine billion pounds of beef as a Wis
ible supply for this year, while the
years exports for the allies and all
other purposes would not be over
about per cent of it. He estimated
on a past record of 191 million
pounds Of beef exported, which he
thought hardly worth mentioning in
comparison with the total supply
visible, but unavailable. Part Of it
was back in the feed lots" eating
high-prieed feed, and the rest was
being kept in cold storage. As with
beef, so with mutton and lamb.
There was abundance Of it, but it
could not be gotten to market be-
cause Of lack Of cars, and more espe-
cially because Of Food Administra-
ton regulations. These, including
meatless days, the witness thought
might better be abolished altogether,
if the Government were not to use
the strong hand Of power in dealing
with the situation. Then the ques-
ton before the committee on taking
over" with the strong hand, was Of
whether the unified and co-ordinated
patriotic interests, at one time
known as "robber trusts" had unified
and cor-ordinated themselves with
the Government itself. This was
left as the open question. It in
volved the supreme difficulty in pre-
venting the Get Away. Otherwise.
the Cat might be Belled soon. As
for the Ultimate Consumer, he has
not yet appeared at the Capitol. His
story is not in the record, but he has
not been charved even by common
rumor with being guilty Of the
Know How.
All afternoon the House wrestled
with the same subject, localized, and
applied by the johnson anti-proh-
teering bill" only to high rents and
high lodging charges in the District
of Columbia. The one thing no one
denied was that rapine had become
mutual. That, in fact, was the main
defense for real estate owners and
lodging house keepers in Washing
ton. 1t was shown that every one
who reaches into Washington from
any part Of the country was putting
over a good thing" in the matter Of
food prices, supply prices, and all
other prices. And. up to date, there
Is no help for il, except as unfortu-
nate permanent residents Of Wash
ington, who are unable TO get away
at all, arc sorrowfully obliged to
pRss some small part of their mis-
fortunes along to from $4,000 to 50,-
600 now Government employees
who. Il is said, camo voluntarily,
without invitation from house own
crS or hotel and boarding house
keepers.
Aftor the opponents OF the bill had
attempted 10 amend into impossi-
blllty and talk Il TO death" they
Aucooeded in preventing action for
the day lta supporters purpose
"iRmmlnK Il through" however. with
out delay II has perhaps one chante
In ten OG becoming Law
The Senate considered points Of
order against the railroad bill. as re-
ported frum conference. with new
matter" IN II, lt was clearly dem
onHtrated that the bill had been
amended IN tCnferenCe u was said
that nnp amendment involved over
ruling the Constitution Of the United
States and various State constitu-
tlnns. hv attempting 10 limit the
states IN their lawful powers Of tax
ation Other things were said so
cnnvincingly that there seemed no
doubt Of recummit,lng the bill. But
the subject went over for further
consideration.
The Senate adopted two amend
ments TO the urgent deficiency bill.
One authorizes taking over as public
property Of the United States the
docks OF the German steamship lines.
The other applies generally to Ger
man "Alien enemy property" in the
United States. II can be applied 10
breweries and banks. The principle
is that Of trusteeship under common
law with lawful claims TO be adjust
ed after the war. In the meantime,
the Government will be in full con-
troll.