The Washington times., 1904-02-19
PRICE OF FLOUR
BEGINS TO SOAR
Effect Of War in Far East
Already Felt Here.
INCREASE OF 81 A BARREL
Unusual Demand Made on American
Markets-High Price of Wheat
Results From Same Cause

The war in the Far East promises to
have an alarming effect on the price
of food supplies in the United States,
and even at this early stage the out
look is serious.
IN the past few weeks the price of
flour has advanced s. on the barrel. with
the probability Of another increase be-
fore long. The increased price of wheat
is. of course. the direct cause Of this,
but that i'm its turn. is ascribed TO the
unusual demand from abroad. caused by
the Japanese Russian war.
Increase in Price.
Some weeks ago -four that was selling
at So a barrel advanced 50 cents. This
price was followed by another increase
until that same grade of -four is now
bringing s. a barrel with the prospect
of soaring still higher.
The better grade OF flour is not so
much affected. That which ordinarily
brought s. a barrel is now demanding
$3.50. but it is said of this also that
its maximum price has not yet been
reached.
An unusual demand has been made
on the American markets. and with the
prospect Of a long conflict in the Far
East a scarcity OF flour for home uses
is imminent.
Enormous Exports.
Few people realize how much flour is
exported to foreign countries. Statistics
from. the Department of Commerce and
Labor show that flour exports from the
United States in 1893 were larger than
In any preceding year. and aggregated
practically 20OOO.O00 barrels. Much of
his went to Russia and Japan
The value Of the flour exports also
exceeded that of any preceding wear.
with the exceptions of 1892 and 1893.
when the value slightly exceeGed that
of 1903. but the quantity exported was
materially less. The total number of
barrels of -four exported from the
United States in the fiscal year 1903
was 19,716634. valued at So. 756. 4o4. while
in 1893 the number Of barrels was 16.-
62o. S3s. but the value was $40. 4s4. 347.
prices OF that year being materially
higher than those of 1903
The Total Value.
In the calendar year 1893. ending with
the month OF December, the total ex-
ports Of -four amounted TO 10. 551.411 bar
rels. valued at $75,1SS,o50.
This calendar year statement gives the
very latest figures of -four exports. and
wheat exports of the calendar year in
dicates that considerably more than one
half OF the wheat exported in the cal
enGar year 1903 was turned into flour
before expectation. The total value OF
the wheat exports Of the calendar year
1913 was So. 329. al. and that of the -four
exports, S75.1SS ESQ.
Record Since 1860.
A study of the wheat expectations OF
the United States during long term
of years disclOses some very interest
ing facts. Prior to the development OF
the great wheat fields of the United
States. which occurred subsequent 70
1850. a very large proportion Of the
surplus wheat of the country was ex-
ported in the form OF flour.
From 1880 10 1860 no instance occurs
in which the exports of wheat eQualed
in value those of flour. Beginning with
1861. however. wheat exports exceeded
ir value those Of flour. and this was al
most constantly the case down TO 1880
Since that time, however, flour exports
have on manv occasions materially eX-
ceeded in value those Of wheat