Thomas Pryor Gore to Woodrow Wilson

I beg to acknowledge your note of May 17th, inquiring whether my idea in relation to Senate Joint Resolution No. 62 preceded the recent conference at the White House.
Answering, permit me to say that the Joint Resolution in question was introduced in the Senate on May 14th, and the conference, as you will remember, was held on May 15th. Perhaps I ought to acquit any one else of responsibility by saying that the measure was drafted and presented upon my sole responsibility. There are several ideas which influenced me in preparing and presenting this resolution.
In the first place, it was necessary to choose between devolving the duties of a food controller on the Secretary of Agriculture or creating an independent and separate agency. As Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry I was unwilling to devolve such duties on the Secretary of Agriculture. This Department enjoys and should continue to enjoy the confidence and favor of the people. If the powers of a food controller are ever exercised with rigor it must of necessity occasion more or less disappointment and criticism. I felt that this criticism ought not to be directed toward the Department of Agriculture, which is a permanent institution, but should rather be concentrated upon a transient agency which will pass with the occasion. It was intended as a sort of lightning rod for the protection of the Department of Agriculture.
In the second place, it was necessary to make choice between a single administrative officer and a commission consisting of several members. I have a strong predilection in favor of the former system. A single executive officer for a single task undoubtedly insures greater efficiency and despatch. It also centralizes and fixes the responsibility.
In the third place, it was necessary to make a choice between the plan of conferring general power on the President to erect such agency as he might deem necessary, or expressly and directly creating such an agency, fixing in a general way the powers to be conferred and the duties to be performed. Personally, I prefer the latter plan, because it is more direct and definite. It is possible, however, that the Congress may prefer the former plan, because it is indefinite and general. The important point, however, was to have both plans accessible so that we can take choice of tracks and pursue the line of least resistance.
Further I may say that the proposition conferring power to fix prices will encounter most stubborn opposition in the Senate. I can not foretell whether it will pass or fail, but even if it should fail there are many important functions which could be performed by a food controller or administrator. It is a matter of the first importance that there should be cooperation and not competition between the United States and the Allies in the markets of the world. Senate Joint Resolution No. 62 contains ample raw materials and conveys ample powers for the erection and operation of a pretty complete system. It enables the President to transfer the duties of any officer or agency of the Government to the food controller, and to direct any officer or agent of the Government to render him such assistance as may be found necessary. It conveys a maximum of power in a minimum of language.
At the time it was drafted I had not examined the Defense of the Realm Act nor the Order in Council establishing a ministry of foods and providing for a food controller. Upon comparison I was surprised not only at the many points of similarity but at the many points of identity.
Permit me to say finally, that much as I was opposed to the war I shall do whatever is necessary to be done to carry our arms to a speedy and complete triumph, subject only to the limitations of the Constitution and to the obligations of international law and humanity. We are now waging war against the spirit of absolutism and the doctrine of state necessity. I agree with you entirely that we must avoid not only the substance but even the semblance of Prussian autocracy. I hope it will not be necessary to confer autocratic power on any officer or department of the Government. It would be unfortunate to familiarize the people even with the forms and phrases of despotism. As a matter of tactics and prudence I think it of the highest importance that we should not go so far so fast as to occasion a revulsion of public sentiment that would be prejudicial to the vigorous prosecution of the war.
Assuring you of my earnest desire to cooperate within these limitations, I amP. S. Please pardon my delay.(Dictated May 21st)The number 242 is written and circled in pencil in the center at the top of the first page, between the date and “The President.”