Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-20
ADOPTS
COMPROMISE ON
SUGAR MEASURE
Increases Boards Authority,
But Limits Licensing Pow
er to June 80.

BY vote of so to II the Senate to-
day adopted the compromise on the
bill to continue government control of
sugar during 1920. accepting House
amendments increasing authority of
the United States sugar equalizatfon
board. but limiting its licensing pow
ers to June 80 next
The House then accepted the Senate
amendment providing that licensing
Of dealers would not be continued
after June 80.
On the motion of Senator McNary
with restriction of the licensing
powers of the board to June 80, next.
three republicans, Gronna of North
Dakoter, Poindexter of Washington
and Smoot of Utah, Joined nine demo-
Gratis in opposition. The democrats
Nevada: Ransdell, Louisiana: Smith,
Georgia: Smith, South Carolina;
Thomas, Colorado; Underwood. Ala
hama: Walsh, Montana, and Williams.
Mississippi.
Sugar Consumed In 1919.
Consumption of sugar in the United
States this year. Senator Gay of
Louisiana said. during debate today.
was all out of proportion to the
world supply"
In the first quarter of 1919 he declared
the per capita sugar consumption in
this country was 20 pounds as against
IL pounds in the same period of 1918.
while for the second quarter II was %
pounds in 1919 against "a pounds in
1918, and the third quarter "a pounds
against IL pounds. making the total for
the nine-month period 20 pounds in
1919 and 81 pounds in 1918. One solution,
the speaker said, was an increase in
should produce more sugar beets, while
the acreage of cane sugar easily could
be increased in Texas, Louisiana, Mis-
sissippi. Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
He protested against making sugar a
political foot ball. and continued:
Suppose we were to license cotton.
The people would rise up everywhere
in their just Indignation and demand
to know what right Congress has to
single out cotton Has it come that
the United States is to take over the
private business of the country? If
the public utilities"
Senator Gays Opposition.
Federal control of the sugar indus
try was desirable. Senator Gay said
only in extreme emergency" He
added that Such an emergency existed
during the war. and that the sugar
situation had been ably handled by
sugar equalization board. but that the
control should have ceased with the
armistice.
Mention of Mr.. Hoover's name
brought an interruption from Chair
man Gronna of the agriculture COM
mittee. who said he hoped Senator
Gay would go more fully into the
merits of the policy pursued by the
former food Illustrator:
IT am not speaking for Mr.. Hoover"
replied Senator Gay.
II hope the senator WILL" returned
Senator Gronna, because Mr.. Hoover
win need it before the american peo-
pie are through with him.
Senator Gay declared the proposed
regulation were unfair. unjust and
un-American., and that 1t was ''un-
justified to single out the sugar in
dustry to be treated as the liquor
business and other businesses that
have practically been outlawed."
Senator SmOot Criticises Bill.
In opposing the bill, Senator Smoot
said the sugar board now has all the
power it has ever had. but said it has
laid down" in it's duties. He de-
Tended beet sugar growers and pro-
CONTINUED on Second Page)