27 



able to anticipate unlimited benefits, with 

 the avoidance of friction or serious compli- 

 cations. 



The scheme as outlined is necessarily im- 

 perfect and lacking in many respects. But 

 I have earnestly tried (first) to point out 

 the urgent need of such a commission to 

 meet the present crisis, and (second) to 

 show that even tho the stringent control 

 and direction of our national food resources 

 may have certain slight disadvantages, these 

 will be more than offset by the development 

 of new opportunities and the establishment 

 of the whole matter on a well systematized 

 and stable footing ; in other words, while 

 the interests of a few individuals may suf- 

 fer to the extent that they will be prevented 

 from taking advantage of the present day 

 situation to make enormous profits, the 

 people at large — including producers, con- 

 sumers, and the public — will receive great 

 and lasting benefit — and no further argu- 

 ment would seem to be needed. 



The great object that has prompted this 

 consideration of the subject is not, there- 

 fore, to demonstrate the gain to the people, 

 except in so far as this is incidental, but 

 to drive home as clearly and forcefully as 

 possible that the predominating need of the 

 hour is the mobilization of our national 

 food resources under governmental organ- 

 ization and control. 



