The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-06-06
A BOOM FOR KITCHIN

"A OOOm IOR h1lSdlN
Claude Ktchin, former Democratic
moor leader in the house, is the hero
OF the latest Democratic presidential
boom. Nobody has thus far publicly
announced Kitchin for President
club, but around the capitol the rum
OF runs that the Bryan Democracy
is looking with favor upon the North
Carolina congressman.
kltchln's chief recommendation is
the fact that he fought for higher
taxation of the big incomes and big
lnheritances, and higher taxation of
war profits and excess profits. He
did not go as far as Senator La Fol-
lette went in that direction, but as
contrasted with any other prominent
Democrat in the house or senate he
was the foremost enemy of the war
profiteers.
TO AUCTION GOVERNMENT
SUPPLIES
Secretary of War Baker has de-
cided to sell $1,500,00O,000 worth of
food, clothing and machinery which
was delivered to the war department
before the armistice was signed, to
any state, county municipality or
private corporation, or any cooper
ative association or citizen, who may
be ready to pay fair price at public
auction. He suggests that state and
county institutions can buy their
socks and shoes for inmates of those
institutions at low rates at these
sales. They can buy canned beef,
corned beef, corned beef hash, pork,
bacon, etc., all of it put up without
attractive labels but guaranteed full
weight and measure.
Sharp criticism rained upon the
war department when Baker first an
nounced that he had held conferences
with the big packers on the situation,
and would so dispose of the food that
prices in this country would not be
affected. His subordinate in charge
of this business was very slow to
understand that the public would not
approve of giving the packers sec
ond profit on the food deal. But at
last he did get the idea-or instruc-
lions. Then the auction plan was
decided upon.
Most of the pdbli.. institutions en-
ter into contracts for their food and
clothing supplies at least six months
ahead. The big packers get these
contracts. 1t is probable that the
great bulk of the thousands of tons
of food which the department must
sell will fall back into the hands of
the packers, directly or indirectly.
However, now is a golden moment
4 of opportunity for cooperative or in
dividual wholesale or retail dealers
who are willing to buy and advertise
these plain-wrapped meats and meat
substitutes.
Write to the secretary of war for
information as to the nearest point
at which auction sales of these goods
will take place.
s. SOLDIERS ANXIOUS TO RETURN
Chairman julius Kahn of the house
committee on military affairs has
come home from a visit to the Amer
, lean troops in France and Germany
: with a firm determination that con-
gress must summon these soldiers
home Immediately. He says they al
want to get home and thai they
have a right to come home.
The secretary of war gives 1t as his
"preliminary" view that congress car
: not bring the troops home until tia
president is willing to recall them
Peace has not been concluded witt
the powers against whom we declared
war. On the other hand, he thinks
= that congress ought to see that ne
: is really trying to bring the soldier:
: home as rapidly as ships can be Sc
E cured for the work.
This little difference of opinion /:
: complicated by the fact that Kahn /:
| boosting for universal military train
t ing and a big preparedness program
!, while Baker is opposed to any per
{ n,anent scheme of militarist expan
i sion.
Y MILITARISM IN MAINE
Y While the administration and con
e gress engage in their tussle over thu
0 return of the soldiers and militar,
: training, it appears that the legisla
: ture of Maine has been led into en-
t acting a law, duly signed by the gov
{ ernor, which not even Chairman
: Kahn would sanction. This law pro
: vides that the governor may fill VI
k the national guard units, in time o
G peace, by drafting any number o
d Young men necessary for the pun
t pose. All young men eligible TO
d this draft who have an "horonabl
= record of prior service" in the fedora
d or state military or naval force
may be" exempt. All men selecte
e for national guard service under tn
o draft are to be enrolled in the guare
IS regardless of their own wish or OF
s lection, and are thereby made sui
iect to all laws, regulations and dis
cipline governing the force.
# Trade union interests in Maine cor
II slider this law a threat at their r1gf
J. to strike, since it. permits the gov
" ernor to force young strikers In
10 mill town into the local guard rank
lie -------
CCOREV