Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-01-04
While New Mexico Man Is
Questioning Hoover, Inter-
ruption by Reed Prompts
Fiery Words Oh Both Sides,
PRICE FIXING CHARGE
DENIED BY ADMINISTRATOR
Hoover Declares He Believed in
Time of War People Wanted
Results; Beet Sugar ReguIa-
ton Angered Reed.
Csr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wrssl

Cey MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wrREl
Washington, Jan. determination
of Food Administrator Hoover was
completed To-Day by the senate COM
mittee investigating the sugar and
coal shortages after Chairman Reed
anG Mr., Hoover had enlivened the
proceedings with a clash that had
been expected since the inquiry be-
gan.
Yesterday when Hoover took the
stand Senator Reed, a critic of the
food administrator since the begin
ming of his work, yielded the task of
questioning to Senator Lodge and the
examination progressed smoothly. To-
day, however, the chairman went into
cross examination most vigorously.
He attacked the policies of the food
administration, said Hoover had
usurped powers in handling the wheat
situation and sought to develop that
sugar price agreements were made to
benefit eastern refiners.
HOover's Replies Sharp.
Mr.. Hoover's replies were as sharp
as the questions. The wheat situation,
he said, was handled with the ap-
proval Of President Wilson and the
farmers now We're getting more for
their wheat while flour was selling for
less. He denied all of the chairman S
charges and said the food administra-
ton. would have the people on sugar
alone between $S,000,000 and $4,000
900 in the year beginning October 1.
Senator Jones of New Mexico, ques-
tloning the witness about support
given the food administration by the
country, drew a ripple of applause
from spectators in the committee
room by brusque retort when Chair
man Reed interrupted.
Fuel situation Comes Up.
When Mr. Hoover left the stand the
committee heard statement on the
coal situation in Ohio by Joseph Nc
Ghee, attorney general of that state
Mr.. McGhee blamed priority orders
for shipments to the lakes for most
of the trouble and told of Intellectual
efforts to get relief through the fuel
administration. The people are suf-
fering for want of coal, he said. add
ing that he though the situation would
improve under government operation
of railroads
Tomorrow the committee will re-
turn to the sugar inquiry and hear
Frank c. Lowery. secretary of the
Federal Sugar Refining company.
Reed Charges Usurpation.
Senator Reed charged Mr.. Hoover
with "usurpation of authority i,
handling the wheat situation 'tha
would be a crime in normal times
Hoover warmly denied and said tn,
situation had been handled with the
approval of President Wilson.
Sought Stable Market.
"Yes, of course" resUrted Reed
''the presidents coa- tails are long
his shoulders broad ane his position
unquestioned, but I'm questioning yol
on the authority you eslployed to fiS
wheat prices"
Reed began questioning on wheat
he said, to bring out point affecting
sugar. Hoover said the food admin
istration had asked grain dealers no
to pay more for wheat than the pric'
bring out that the price question wa
so put up to the dealers as to reall!
make the transaction price fixing
but Hoover maintained he only at
tempted to stabilize prices and denied
the food administration had done any
thing not authorized by law.
Farmers Getting More.
Il take it that with the country a
war the people wanted results" sal,
Hoover. at is not fair to go int
wheat conditions unless all phases ar
discussed and that would take a week
One thing is certain, the farmers ar
getting more for their wheat an,
flour is selling for Less
Hoover would not acquiesce Il
heeds statement that some force wa
necessary to get and maintain SO
called voluntary agreements on suga
prices. He said the food administra
ton depended largely on the patriot
ism of refiners but that some author
ity was needed"
Beet Sugar Discussed.
Senator Reed tried to develop tina
the food administration last fall ar
ranged 1t so that beet sugar sellin
at 1926 cents would not come east O
the Alleghenies, when cane sugar wa
selling for a higher price, and that
was done for the benefit of easter
cane refiners.
Hoover replied that eastern refiner
had paid a price for Cuban raws tina
would preclude selling at 7.25 cents
but even with that situation taken int
consideration, the beet sugar wa
badly needed in the west and middl
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