New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-06
Crop Here Light and Gov
eminent Plans Embargo
on Foreign Tubers.
OFFICIALS ALARMED
AT BLIGHT ABROAD
Ban Would Create Monopoly IN
Domestic "Spuds Public
Hearing Fixed.

Another advance in the cost Of livihg'
the article Of consumption concerned thiS
time being the potato, may be eNpecte"
shortly, says The Fruit Trade journal
In It's latest issue. II the contemplated EN-
barge on potatoes from Europe ana can
ada is put into effect.
The Secretary Of Agriculture, on De-
cember IS, will hold a public hearing III
order that all persons interested in the
importation of common or Irish potatoes
may be heard. At present tuoers from
the British Isles. Germany Austria ana
Newfoundland are not permitted In the
country because of the prevalence ol
blight in those countries. The proposeh
embargo would limit the market to po-
tatoes supplied only by domestic growers.
Their crop this year has been unusually
light.
Consumers who looked forward to rea-
sonable potato prices this season VIII ma
little food for comfort I'm the announce
mcnt from Washington that the govern
ment intends To- reverse It's policy I'm con-
nection with the cost Of living by placing
an embargo on all foreign potatoes.
The Fruit Trade Journal says, thus
eliminating competition and giving DO
mestic stock a monopoly of the markets
AZ time when the supply falls short OF
the demand
Consumers are already asking why
government which has prated 80 long OF
It's desire 10 lower the cost OF living, ana
which removed the duty from imports
from certain European countries. should
now, under the guise OF protection to
American potatoes. lar all foreign tuoers
from entrance e. the country
The proposed embargo. it Is said. would
Invite general hostility by contemptuou5
disregard OF public sentiment TO please a
few spectators and domestic growers
who have Joined I'm an unreasonable clam
OF which has nothing but sciiishness a
foundation. The powdery scab disease
which the embargo aims 10 keep from the
country, but which The Fruit Trade
journal charges is an attempt TO boost
prices for a small ring Of growers and
spectators. resembles the common pc
tato scab. which is already widely found
In the United States.
Potatoes affected with the European
disease nrst show rounded. blisterlike
Spots, n tlAtttliU 10 an tlhNNl Va az 'i''''
I'm diameter The spots enlarge and deep
en-. making the potato unsighty and re-
duciug It's market value. Powdery spores
which arc propagated spread rapidly and
ruin for further cultivation OF potatoes
any fields into which they make their
way.
The passing Of the embargo. II Is said.
would be OF great danger 20 the COR
sumer and OF incalculable value 10 special
privilege and big business. The European
disease is not a. widespread as Is in'i-
mated by some Maine growers and ship
pcrs. IL Is said.
The situation calls for immediate ac-
tlon and organized effort" the publication
saws. mot only upon the part OF the
trade. but also upon the public In general.
which will feel the effects OF the en-
barge. II the trade and the public learn
their power and use II properly there Is
little danger that the circulation OF un-
truthful and damaglns reports VIII force
the government 20 put up the bars against
all imports