The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-08-07

Washington, D. C.-Congress will
force the war departments hand with
respect to the disposal Of the $780,
100000 worth Of surplus army food
stuffs, hitherto kept OF the domestic
market in compliance with the wishes
of the packers, the Gamers and other
affiliated food monopolists.. ~
In spite Of political opposition from
the Democrats, the report of the sps-
cial house subcommittee which has
been probing the surplus food scandal
will be submitted to the house. early
next week. The report fatty accuses
Secretary Baker Of protecting the
food interests" by withholding the
surplus food products from the domes-
tic market and attempting to dispose
Of them abroad SO far as circum-
stances would permit It.
A resolution attached to the report
demands the direct sale Of these food
products to the people Of the United
States.
The report fays the war depart
ment's lack of. policy with respect to
disposing Of It's surplus food, points
out that from the day the armistice
was signed a child could have foretold
that there would be immense sur
pluses, details agreements made with
the packers and Gamers to keep the
canned foods away from the people
Of this country In order not to disturb
the market, and discusses the "inex-
cusable delay resulting in the spelling
of millions Of pounds of ham and
bacon to the great loss Of the govern
ment and the people,
Public sentiment throughout the
East has been greatly aroused by
these sensational revelations, and
there is little doubt that the action of
congress in the matter will be prompt
and decisive.
.,..- A Plan Of Distribution.
In spite of general agitation for sell.
ing to the people the war departments
great stocks of surplus food only one
concrete plan by which this can be
carried out has yet been presented to
congress. This is embodied in q bill
which has been introduced in the
house by Representative Clyde Kelly
Of Pennsylvania and is arousing wide.
spread interest and support.
The Kelly bill, II enacted, will place
the entire machinerysof the postof1ee
department at work distributing the
food to buyers in every town and ham.
let. The val department would be
responsible for preparing the food for
parcel post shipment at the various
army food depots, and would also CO.
operate with the postofice department
by supplying additional motor trucks
and drivers for delivery work. Orders
for the food, with certain restrictions
against speculative intentions, would
be received by every postofice. Pay.
ment would be made in advance and
q receipt given assuring return OF
money if for any reason delivery
should fail.
This plan has been Endorsed as en-.
tirely practical by Postmaster General
Burleson and by officials in the sales
division of the war department
More than q score Of congressman
have already pledged themselves to
its support, although the bill was only
drawn this week. Letters and tele
grams indorsing it are coming in
from all parts Of the country. ar
League Developments.
Opponents of the league Of nations
have been UNNECESSARILY heartened by
the action Of ex-President Taft, who
is now on record as ~favoring certain
| reservations in the league covenant ia
protect the sovereignty ct the United
| States. BY this move President VIII
sons avowed task OF. putting through
the covenant as drawn in Paris with
out change is made decidedly more
difficult. ~ -@:f @s ,l
Encouraged by what they believe
to be a changing sentiment through
out the nation, Senators .Borah, Hiram
Johnson, Brandegee and a few othe,
"bitter enders" are beginning t.
openly demand reputation Of the
whole league. Their argument Is al
follows: IF the league Of nations Ii
correct in spirit and right In principle
it needs no reservations for the United
States to join it. II 1t Is neither o.
these no amount Of reservations cal
altersit underlying hostility to Amer
lean ideals" These senators argu.
that the league can not be made &C
ceptable to the country without reser
~vations, and that 1t should, therefore
be rejected in entirety.
The conservative Republicans, how
ever, numbering three-fourths OF tn
party representation in the uppe
house, are fearful that Endorsement 0
this stand might endanger thei
chances Tor 1890 throughout the coun
try. They believe that the Ameftsal
people, by q great majority, favort tn
league, but want some reservations +
protect American rights.
III shantune Clause OPPOSED.
The shantung provision continue
20 be the rallying point OF the leagu
enemies, and the hardest argument 80
II -8AM. 1890 E&AIAA M-.AAA% 4-HgA~NaS AAnv