8 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



a statement indicating that he had asked Mr. Hoover to undertake 

 the important task of food administration. The purposes of the pro- 

 posed Food Administration and the necessity for it were set forth. 

 It was stated that a sharp distinction would be drawn between the 

 normal and emergency activities of the Government represented in 

 the Department af Agriculture in reference to food production, con- 

 servation, and marketing on the one hand, and the special activities 

 necessitated by the war relating to the regulation of food distribution 

 and consumption on the other. "All measures," it was explained, 

 " intended directly to extend the normal activities of the Department 

 of Agriculture in reference to the production, conservation, and the 

 marketing of farm crops will be administered, as in normal times, 

 through that department, and the powers asked for (in the Food 

 Control bill) over distribution and consumption, over exports, im- 

 ports, prices, purchase and requisition of commodities, storing, and 

 the like which may require regulation during the war will be placed 

 in the hands of a Commissioner of Food Administration appointed 

 by the President and directly responsible to him." 



On June 12 the President, in a letter to Mr. Hoover, expressed the 

 opinion that the inauguration of that portion of the plari for food 

 administration which contemplates a National mobilization of the 

 great voluntary forces of the country which are ready to work toward 

 saving food and eliminating waste admitted of no further delay. 

 It was pointed out that while in many ways it would be desirable to 

 await complete legislation establishing the Food Administration, it 

 seemed that, so far as volunteer effort could be assembled, there should 

 be immediate action. Accordingly, Mr. Hoover was authorized to 

 proceed in this direction at once. 



LEGISLATIOIV. 



In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, on April 18 I 

 transmitted to it certain proposals for increasing the production, 

 improving the distribution, and promoting the conservation of farm 

 products and foods. The suggestions were based in large measure 

 upon the program adopted at the St. Louis and Berkeley conferences. 

 The Committee on Agriculture in each House soon afterward took 

 the matter in hand, held extensive hearings, and finally formulated 

 two measures. In the preparation of these, there were two leading 

 thoughts in mind. One was to speed up and add to the activities of 



