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Show HOUSTON WOULD I FIX FOOD PRICES I Urges U. S. Senate to Empow- ), er the Council of National Defense. 'llH DEPARTMENT NEEDS H Immediate Action to Make IH Necessary Funds Available ' IH for Great Food Campaign. H WASHINGTON. April 20. Secro- ,H tary Houston today recommended to ll the senate that the council of national i'l defense be empowered to fix minimum IH and maximum food prices. 'l To meet tho food situation Secre- l tary Houston told the senate the de- IH partment of agriculture needs the fol- il lowing power: Hl Certain Broad Powers Needed. '1 "To make a complete survey of the food supply of the nation to determine ,H its location, ownership, control and ' distribution. M "In co-operation with the Interests j involved, to establish minimum grades I of farm products, Including seeds and M j standards for receptacles. ! "To license and supervise the oner- lll I ation of all plants, mills, packing H I houses, canneries, slaughter houses, H I breweries, distilleries, storage houses I or other establishments or factories in which food or feeds, implements and M I any other articles required for agri- M I cultural purposes are prepared, man- ll ufactured or kept for sale or distribu- "To require the preference move- . ment by the common carriers of seeds, M fertilizers, farm implements or the ma- I terials required in their manufacture IH To Enlarge News Service. "To enlarge the existing telegraphic llH market news service of the depart- !l ment to assist in the distribution of products. IH "In case of extremo emergency, the M government to have power to pur- H chase, store and dispose of food prod- llH ucts and to fix maximum or minimum 'IH prices. IH Funds Are Needed. jll "It is estimated that approximately iM $25,000,000 will be required to carry lM out the pians outlined herein. In or- ;H der that prompt steps may be taken to put them Into effect it is urged that 1 Immediate action be taken to give the '!1 department tho requisite authority and , iH to mako available the necessary iilH funds." M |