The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-04-08

Washington, d. c. April s.---The adj
visory committee of twenty-four citi"
zeus represeting agricultural and live
stock interests in various sections OF
the United States, recently appointed
by the secretary of agriculture and the
food administrator, organized IN
Washington, March rs Ex-Governor
Henry {. Stuart. of Virginia. had pre-
viously been requested by Secretary
Houston and MIR Hoover to act as
chairman This committee is an ad-
visory and not an executive body.
The committee Immediately began
/ a series OF conferences with Secretary
| Houston Food Administrators Hoover.
and representatives of the various
! branches OF these two agencies. The
i m EN- bers, after leaving Washington,
VIII he expected TO keep the two de-
/ nartments in touch with local conoi-
/ lions and will reassemb BILE on call
The committee, il is expected, can
render important service to the gov
eminent especially in two ways: First
| coming "a they do, fresh from the
various sections OF the union, they
| can assist the governmental agencies
! in keeping more intimately in touch
| with production and food problems
| throughout the nation and can make
suggestions to notifications or extern
! SONS NJ GAl$Nj1R dNttNAAAeNs HAilh
| ond. can ascertain definitely and make
| clear to the persons interested in their
/ respective districts the nature and
scope of the policies OF these two gov
ernmeutal agencies and the reasons
underlying the various action deemed
| necessary There fs need. it is be-
lieved. for more complete information
and understanding In both Theses direc-
tons II is not always easy in Wash
| ington 20 estimate the real difficulties
and the extent to which those who
present matters fully represent the ac-
| tual situation and the sentiment OF
| the people. It liz also. true that IL il
very difficun to make wclear to great
numbers Of people the actual nature
and scope of measures devised by the
government. Much misunderstanding
exists in many quarters, some OF 1t
based on representations growing out
of ignorance and some on representa-
tions nischievously made.
SECRETARY Houston Outlines Purposes.
Secretary Houston. in outlining the
purposes OF the advisory group said
| in part
/ 1T seemed advisable TO select rep
resentative group OF producers VINO
could come to Washington from tlme
Ito time and furnish advice. This group
with the various communities ana
with producers In various sections OF
the union who can present, In re-
sponsible and helpful ways, the exist
ling difficulties. 1t was thought that
!they might present many suggestions
which it would be difficult otherwise
Ito receive. The committee Is TO De
AN advisory, and not an executive
body 1t can render much assistance
in ascertahning clearly and dehniteV
the purposes and activities OF the gov
fernment and in clearing UP Commissions
that exist In many parts OF the coun-
try. 1t is difficult enough 10 run a
government like ours If all the facts
are adequately presented to the people
81 and properly interpreted, II is eA-
y tremely difficult to run the govern
ment satisfactorily IL the people get
not facts but gossip-~and they are
getting a great deal of gossip. Il, the
J field OF production. l am especial.
anxious to have you clearly under
stand what the department is doing
TO aid In dealing with the seed and
farm-ia Dor situations and 10 have
J from you any advise as to what furth'
err things we can do to meet any diff
ffcuities In these two directions. This
executive machinery of the depart
, ment Is available for securing and
supplying requisite information, ant
: l shall be glad TO have those In charge
of the activities fully present matters
to YOU
Mr.. Hoover Tells Of Work To- be Done
Food Administrator Hoover. aftel
: discussing problems relating to, TIL,
food administrations functions re
.. garding price-fixing. and control ant
distribution OF products, said in part
, | IAN war is an economic degenera