Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-15
MARKET DEPENDS
ON NAVY RESULTS
Secretary Houston Says Amer.
can Products Can Go Abroad
if the British Win.
CROPS NEEDED IN EUROPE
Permanent Advance to Be Made ~
Congress Allows Enlargement
Of Merchant Marine.

Washington, ID. G., Aug. Is. - The
effect of the European war upon agri-
culture in the United States was dis.
cussed yesterday for the first time by
Secretary Houston, who pointed out
that the United States Is practically
the only large food producing country
1ndisturbed.
IF Germany and Austria cannot con.
troll the high seas he said. at will be
very difficult for food supplies from
THIS country to reach them. This
would not have a very serious effect
on our exports, because a very small
proportion is taken by these countries.
OF the V heat and wheat -four exported
in 1913 about 100000 bushels
only 100000 went to Germany and
austria.
Would Open Foreign Markets.
IF, on the other hand, England,
France and Russia control the high
seas. We should be able to market in
the rear future without great difficulty
the great mass of our ezportable food
products Even if they cannot control
the seas, they are going to take every
sort Of reasonable risk to get sup
Plies, and on account of their exten.
sive shore lines and large shipping
facilities they would doubtless secure
e very considerable part of what they
need"
Secretary Houston pointed out that
cote. corn, wheat and meat products
constituted the largest proportion OF
agricultural exports. He said that his
81
and exports of corn showed a de-
crease of over 600,0O0,00O bushels in
1913 from 1912, and added:
1T does not seem to me that we will
have a very large amount of corn TO
export
Importation of corn the last year ex-
ceeded exports by nearly 100000
bushels and with the crop for the pres
ent year, 500, 100000 bushels less than
that of 1913, Mr.. Houston thinks 1t
probable that this country could con-
sumo it all without much reduction In
price, if any The demand from abroad
for corn for food is expected to help
to maintain the present prices.
Crop Shortage Abroad.
This season." said the secretary,
"has been unfavorable for crops IN
Europe, as a result of which there IN
doubtedIy is some shortage, now esti'
mated at approximately 30O,000.OOO
bushels This shortage may be further
increased All these factors Will tend
to increase the demand abroad for
American wheat and strengthen prices.
If there is an increased foreign de-
mand for wheat we can certainly sup
ply it, but can they get it?
Taking into account only the ships
that clear for Europe from the United
States, we know that in 1912 the ton
mage of merchant vessels was 17,72L-
600. OF that. 100000 tons belong to
neutral countries and 10,SOO,OOO
to England, France or Russia.
Only 100000 belong to Germany and
Austria.
IF these countries want foodstuffs
from this country they will not de-
pend exclusively upon shipping Gus
clearing from this country
They will regard food just as much
military necessity as arms or ammu-
milton and they will be just as desir-
Gus of getting it. Armies crawl Cd
their bellies
IF congress takes advantage
promptly of the present situation ana
enacts legislation for the enlargement
of the merchant marine under the
American flag. not only would great
relief be afforded but per-
manent advance would be made
1.-The greatest problem said the
secretary, "is the cotton situation
Many factories in France are in the
war zone Russia will be affected ana
if England can get the cotton and mar
ket there is no reason why she should
not continue her manufacturing on
scale | do not see no"
any disturbance will come to the ENG
ish manufacturers as far as labor Is
The neutral countries
Italy, Japan, Spain and the Ohl'eu
States. will seek to increase OUTPUT
and find larger amounts
Cotton Hard to Dispose OF.
Making every allowance, 1t seems
likely there will be difficulty in dispos
ng of at least from 100000 10 4'VVV'
300 bales of cotton.
1T remains to be considered wnethe'
he government through the treasury,
acting under the Aldrich-Nreelahu
,ct. or whether the federal reserve
board can furnish relief II they eau
10 so adequate business arrangements
IAN be made