GRAZING FEES GUABANTY PRICE ON WHEAT. 13 



instructed b^ the several associations of these several States to bring 

 to the attention and urgent consideration of this honorable commit- 

 tee and Congress the facts which and by reason of which the grain 

 dealers of these several States sustained losses in the year 1917 by 

 reason of the fixing of the price of wheat. 



I want to say to you that we come as plain business men. We have 

 no attorneys and we will have no lobbyists, but we come here to 

 present to you the cause of these grain dealers who sustained this 

 loss, believing that in presenting the facts to you you will see the 

 justice of making reparation to those who sustained those losses 

 without incurring needless and unnecessary expense to those who 

 sustained them. 



As stated before, the six associations are cooperating in presenting 

 this matter and are assisted by the national association. 



Mr. YoTJNG. Please name the States you represent. 



Mr. Clement. Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and 

 Illinois. There are some claims, too, that will be presented by the 

 Illinois association from Indiana, but Indiana has no official repre- 

 sentation. 



Our losses were sustained by reason of the fact that the Govern- 

 ment fixed the price through a special committee that was appointed 

 in 1917 and, we believe, without authority of law, but we are not 

 questioning it from the legal standpoint, we are not raising that 

 question, but they fixed the price of wheat without the knowledge of 

 the grain dealer in time to protect himself. 



Our claims will aggregate, we believe, about $5,000,000. We have 

 now compiled claims that aggregate something like $2,000,000. We 

 are prepared to show the committee in logical sequence the facts 

 upon which we acted due to which these losses were sustained. 



The first matter that we desire to call to your attention is a state- 

 ment from President Wilson at the time that he transmitted his' mes- 

 sage to Congress, asking for food control under date of May 20, 

 1917. 



Pkesident Outlines Powers Desired foe Food Conteol — Authoeitt to Pee- 

 VENT Undtie Increase in Prices op Food Sought. 



President Wilson outlined the administration's food control program in a 

 statement to-night, and declared the powers asked for the Government are no 

 greater than those other Governments at war have been compelled to take. 

 There is no intention, he said, to restrain or interfere with normar processes of 

 production. 



The objects sought to be served by the legislation asked for are * * * 

 the prevention of all unwarranted hoarding of every kind and the control of 

 foodstuffs by persons who are not in any legitimate sense producers, dealers, 

 or traders. 



Mr. McLaughlin of Michigan. May I ask what you are reading 

 from? 



Mr. Clement. This is a typewritten copy of a publication taken 

 from the Dallas News which was issued by the Associated Press. 



Mr. McLaughlin of Michigan. Do you know whether or not the 

 President addressed Congress on that subject or sent a message or 

 issued any official statement? 



Mr. Clement. The only way we know this is official is on the 

 assumption that what is put out by the Associated Press is authentic. 



