New-York tribune., 1918-01-04
Hearing Ends
With Cheers
For Hoover
Senators Jones and Reed
Clash at Inquiry on
Sugar Shortage
[Staf Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-The inqui-
sltion to which Herbert C. Hoover has
been subjected by Senator Reed, of
Missouri, in connection with the Sen
ate investigation of the sugar situa-
ton fell Of it's own weight to-day.
For hours to-day Nh. Hoover was
grilled by Senator Reed with all the
arts that one might expect from n
! clever prosecuting attorney. The Food
Administrator was charged with hav-
| ing abused his power. with usurping
power not granted him in the food
act-indeed, with having performed
acts which would come within the
criminal category in the State of Mis-
souri,
Up to this point other members Of
the committee had had scarcely an op
portunlty to ask a single question
However. at this juncture, Senator
Jones, Of New Mexico, managed to ask
Mr.. Hoover if it were not true that
the country in the main was support
ing his programme and his conserva-
ton measures. To this Senator Reed
objected.
Senator Jones had a file of tele-
grams received from sugar dealers in
all sections Of the country by the
food administration. These telerrams
stated that had the government neg
lected to take measures to control
speculation in sugar the price of the
commodity would have advanced to
from 80 tc 10 cents a pound
Reed Objects, Violently
"Why do you ask such questions ."
demanded Senator Reed. DO YOU
think them pertinent to this inquiry .,
III | did not think so, | would not
ask them" replied Senator Jones. land
furthermore, | think l could build up
foundation for them which would
admit them in any court Of justice.
even in criminal court out in Mis-.
souri,"
Shouts Of laughter and storm of
handclapping followed the Senator's
remark
Senator Reed, springing to his feet.
anger written in his face, shouted for
order. The handc.apping continued. so
that remark made by the Senator to
senator Jones was scarcely audible.
on have had no experience in Mis-
souri, criminal courts" said Senator
Reed, in reply to which Senator Jones
assured him he was glad of that fact
FROM that moment there was no fur
ther lnterruption Of Senator Jones,a
questions to Hoover, but despite Sena-
tor Reeds admonitions that order be
maintained, the crowd again cnee1ed
hoover as ne left the committee cham
/ F~1I
hallway of the Senate office building hv
score of women who applauded him
Hoover Retains Composure
Inc session to-day was really an in
1Itestlgatlon OF the life of Herbert c.
hoover, ms business activities, his
places OF residence, and other personal
details covering a period of twentv
years past: Mr.. Hoover remained calm
and collected throughout the jnon;s;.
ton; in fact. he frequently amused ,I,o
spectators with his answers. Sc~et I'm. ~.
Reed perhaps reached the high nom.
OF ms questions when he asked in most
/ ssignihcant manner if at one rjme
1looser mac maintained a home in
II did have a home in Londo, ona
time" said Mr.. Hoover "Yon Tn' eae o..e
senator, have family, and have ~
put them up some place sometimes ;,
The verbal dael ranged from sugar
to wheat. So
Senator Reed charged Mr.. Hoover
%ith "usulrrpation OF authority" in
handling the wheat situation that
would be crime in normal times y
Mr.. Hoover warmly denied it and said
the situation had been handled with
the approval of President Wilson
Yes, of course" rctorted Senator
Reed '.tho Presjdent,, root .;I
long. his shoulders broad and his DO
sltion unqIestioned, but Pm question
ing you on the authority you employed
to fix wheat prices"
81 take it that with the country a,
war the people wanted results" sale
Mr.. Hoover. 1T is not fair to GO
into wheat conditions unless all phases
are discussed and that would take g
week. One thing is certain. the farm.
ers now are getting more for their
wheat and -four is selling for less"