New-York tribune., 1918-03-09
u..tless Days Increased
by Brainless Days,
Says Reed
Critics Denounce
Fixing of Prices
Dr.. Garfield Accused of
raisehood in Report on
Coalless Days

WASHINGTON, March Structures
:, Government pricefxing and the ac
.;r;.;es of the food administration
moncpolzed 5o-day's session of the
Senate.
1ed BY Senator Reed, of Missouri,
nemocrat. Senators of both parties
u.ds the attack Charges that a gen.
ora, polcy of fixing prices for farm
,-oducts, not authorized by the food
control law. was being instituted. were
made by Senator's Reed and Borah,
Vim said the licensing power of the
,sw was being so used that its actual
,osult was an unauthorized price
fixing programme.
In folr-nour speech teemng with
hitter criticism Senator Reed also de.
nounced the fuel administration, as
serting that Administrator Garfield
had not told the truth regarding re-
suits of the coalless days order, which
he described as a "lockout' on Eastern
industries.
In the midst Of the debate the SEN
ate adopted q resolution by Senator
Salisbury, of Delaware, President pro
tempore. asking the food administra-
ton for its authority in issuing an
official bulletin requesting bids at fixed
prices on tomatoes for the army ard
navy.
Price Fixing. in Effect
Senator Wolcott. Democrat, of Della
ware, said Mr.. Hoover had denied the
adoption Of farm produce price
fixing plan. disclaiming authority, but
he and other Senator's insisted that
acts Of the food administration. par
tcularly under its wholesale and re-
tall dealers licensing power, was hav-
ing that effect in actual practice.
I'VE would not have had so many
meatless days if there had not been so
many brainless days" Senator Reed de-
CARED. "a few more acts of the food
administration and we will have bread
tickets. | believe the efficiency of the
United States has been reduced 20 per
SS"e Oy lSuOIdHC
with business methodS.''
In obtaining the so-called voluntary
agreement with retiners on sugar prices
Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts, Re-
publican, remarked that the food ad-
mlnlstration managed" to fix prices.
Garfield Veracity Assailed
In criticising the fuel administration
Senator Reed commented upon DR.. Gar
fields statement that, as the result Of
the coalless days, 400 ships were re-
BASED from American ports.
az am sorry that DR.. Garfield gave
put that statement, because it is not
true" he said, adding that Shipping
board figures showed that fifty-six
fewer ships were released than under
normal conditions.
n"They stopped water power in Maine
70 get coal to bunker ships in New York
Harbor,' he said. "In order to under
stand the logic of that you have got to
be plain IDIOT
isTurning to what he called inefficiency
a the War Department, the Missouri
Hnator said General Pershing had
notified the department not to send any
More shoddy uniforms for American
soldiers in France.
1.-The priority order by which coal was
!!werted for lake shipment to the
northwest last summer was assailed by
esnator Reed. who said he desired to
MngratuIate Senator Kellogg, of Min
hasota, for the business acumen dis
ketting coal to the exclusion of other
states. Senator Kellogg interrupted to
say that only enough coal to meet the
needs of the communities was sent to
Minnesota.
+ Demands End OF. "Usurpation"
ssSenator Reed declared that "you
esn't do business IN this country unless
yee remove artificial uncertainty" anc
pyged that the mine operator, the
farmer and other business interests o.
ise country be told by the government
Fat this "usurpation" of power shall
tease and whoever does usurp power
1 ia detriment to public welfare.
,sIhe time may come when you may
pave to draw on that great reservoir
p patience" ne said, referring to the
sllllngness Of the people to do any
lang to win the war. "Let US not put
ndue burdens onSt. / don't see any
iadications that give promise OF ar
tsrly end Of the war in terms salts
factory to US"
Senator Thomas, Of Colorado, Demo
ssat, said ar order affecting the Goa
pines of Colorado, effective March II
ssd reducing the price from 70 cent:
70 s1.20 ton on all grades except one
Produced in that state, will result II
z reduction in coal production there
he declared that many mines would b'
ierced 70 smut down If the order be
Game operative, or the governrhen
must operate them