The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-06
HOOVER TALKS Of
SUGAR DURING WAR
AND AFTER PEACE
Former Food Administrator
Questioned About Disposal
Of Commodity in Europe
and by Army.

WASHINGTON, Nov. G.-With con-
tinued federal control Of sugar and a
more stringent ALLEGATION OF sugar sup
plies In sight IN the recent testimony Of
Herbert Hoover, former food adminls-
traitor, before the johnson subcommit-
tee investigating war expenditures,
threw an interesting sldeight on the
administration policy with regard TO
sugar both during and since the war,
During the war II was absolutely neCCs,
essary 10 control the sugar supply ana
since that time President Wilson has
been advised by followers Of two differ
ent schools Of economic action The ad-
ministration has followed the advice
that recommended control and consC-
uuently assured low prices. Recon-
tnendation has now been made for fur
Their control aud ALLEGATION by the chair
man Of the United States sugar equal
ization board
or the Two theories advanced one
class Of advisors recommended to the
president that the ban Of federal control
and International agreement be lifted
and in its place unregtraiued compeu-
ton for the Cuban and other important
crops be allowed. This would mean that
The highest bidder among the nations
would get the available crops, but the
consumer would have 20 pay the prlc
OF this competition There was no pre-
diction as to how high sugar might 20
under this plan. The other plan was
20 continue Federal control and interna-
tional buying and ALLEGATION, permitting
purchase at unreasonable price, and thus
keeping sugar, even during the war
and shortage period as low AS 10 and
ii cents a pound This was the course
pursued by the government
To Account for Price,
Congressman Bland, junior Republic
can member of the committee, had Mr.,
Hoover called before the committee TO
inquire whether or not the sugar given
away for relief abroad and sold TO for
eign governments. through the A. y, r,
and the army sales agency in France
WAS not responsible for the present
sugar shortage. Mr., Eoover fastened
to disabuse the minds OF the committee
on this point, declaring that the cause
OF the present shortage was an IN
creased consumption of sugar on the
part OF the American people. This in
crease, beginning in the spring Of this
year, and apparently aggravated by
prohibition, according to the witness.
has risen from a normal OF rs pounds
per year per person 70 20 pounds per
person. The highest known consump-
ton heretofore, Mr.. Hoover stated, has
been "a pounds per person.
Getting down to specific questions
Mr. Hoover assured the committee thst
there was consumed every day III the
United States little over 100000
candy alone This, he said, was the
approximate amount OF sugar given
away by tho United states relief com
mission to the stricken countries
abroad. Speaking Of the sugar given 70
Russian prisoners. he declared that THIS
country had given away only one-twen-
tieth of one days candy making supply
TO the Russians,
Army Sugar Sales,
Congressman Bland tried 20 make an
Nsue Of the sugar sold through the army
STies force and the A. ". II, abroad,
ai!@punting, he said, TO approximately
q, NO 900 pounds, but his attention was
again called to the fact that this
asnct.ntod only 10 several days candy
supply In this country and most of that
sold br given away went to adults and
children nearly starved,
Following the hearing the question
arose Informally Of controlling cold
STORAGE activities in the process of food
delivery from the producer to consumer,
MIR. Hoover suggested control within
cold storage circles rather than too
stringent federal control. He pointed
10 the success OF the government con-
troll Of the Chicago grain market ny
allowing the board Of trade to legisate
for ITS members. He pointed out that
I cold storage is a necessary forward step
to take care OF the produce from the
time II actually comes into production
until such time as AZ Is needed for con
!. sumntion, but he declared that some
steps ought TO be taken TO legislate out
Of existence the ability Of speculator'
to buy storage receipts, and without
any actual turnover OF goods to adj
vance food prices through mere specu'
latlye Investments and sales.