The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-08-21
HOUSTON DISCUSSES EFFECT
or WAR ON AGRICULTURE

VI wan oN R1ntto IN -
washington. August 1s.-The effect
OF the European war upon agriculture
in the United States was discussed to-
day for the first time by Secretary
Houston, who pointed out that the
United States was practically the only
large food producing country undis-
turbed.
III Germany and Austria cannot
control the high seas he said. ut will
be very difficult for food supplies from
this country to reach them. This would
not have very serious effect on our
exports, because very small proper
ton is taken by these countries. or
the wheat and wheat flour exported in
1913-about 140,000,000 bushels-only
/ 900. 900 went to Germany and Aus
tria. III they were to control the high
seas II would seriously interfere with
the marketing of the greater part of
the foodstuffs we export.
"If, on the other hand, England,
France and Russia, control the high
seas. we should be able to market in
the near future without great difficulty
the great mass of our exportable food
products. Even II they cannot con-
troll the seas they are going to take
every sort of reasonable risk to get
supplies. and on account of their ex-
tsnsive shore lines and large shipping
facilities they would doubtless secure
a very considerable part of what they
need"
Export Crops.
Secretary Houston pointed out that
cotton. corn, wheat and meat products
constituted the largest proportion of
agricultural exports. He said that his
departments statistics of production
and exports of corn showed a decrease
of over 800, 900, 900 bushels in 1913 from
1912, and added 'It does not seem to
me likely that we are going to have a
very large amount Of corn to export"
Importations OF corn the past year
exceeded exports by nearly 100000
bushels, and with the crop for the
present year 100000 bushels less
than that of 1912, Mr.. Houston thinks
il probable that this country could
consume 1t all without much reduction
in price. II any The demand from
abroad for corn for food is expected TO
help to maintain the present prices.
"This season. said the Secretary,
has a result OF which there undoubt-
eddy Is some shortage, now estimated
at approximately 300,0O0,O00 bushels.
This shortage may be further increas-
ed by destruction of the crops or fail
IRE to harvest them through the di-
version Of laborers into the army. All
these factors will tend to increase the
demand abroad for American wheat
and strengthen prices II there is an
Increased foreign demand for wheat
we can certainly supply it, but can
they get it?"
COMMITTING the ships plying to the
Orient and to the South, and taking
into account only the ships that clear
for Europe from the United States, we
know that in 1912 the tonnage of mer-
chant vessels was 17,727000 tons. OF
that 100000 tons, 100000 tons be-
long to neutral countries and 10,S00,-
900 to England, France or Russia. Only
1900, 900 belong to Germany and Aus
tria.
Must Have Food.
III these countries want foodstuffs
from this country (and this is one of
the few countries from which they get
them. because il is one of the few
large food producing countries at
present undisturbed), they will not
depend exclusively upon shipping GUS
tomarily clearing from this country.
They will regard food just as much a
military necessity as arms or ammuni-
ton and they will be just as DESTROYS
u getting II. Armies fight on their
bellies.
1.-THE total merchant tonnage OF the
world is 45,S00.000. Of which 1871 900
belongs to neutral countries and 23,-
900 to England. France and Russia,
leaving, S, 100000 in round numbers
belonging to Germany and Austria
England alone does about so per cent
of the carrying trade.
"If Congress takes advantage
| promptly of the present situation and
enacts legislation for the enlargement
of the merchant marine under the
| American flag, not only would great
| temporary relief be Afforded. but a
permanent advance would be made.
1.-THE greatest problem" said the
Secretary, SIS the cotton situation
Many factories in France are in the
war zone. Russia will be affected, ant
IL England can get the cotton an6
market it, there is no special reason
why she should not continue her man
ufacturing on considerable scale.
do not see how any disturbance will
come to the English manufacturers as
far as labor is concerned. The neutra
countries, Italy, Japan. Spain and thu
| United States, will seek to increase
output and find larger amounts.
Making every allowance, it seem'
likely there will be difficulty in dis
posing of at least from 100000 to d.,
900, 900 bales OF cotton. Probably con
siderable local relief can be afforded
the producers of cotton. 1t remains t.
be considered whether the Government
through the Treasury acting under thu
Aldrich- Vreeland act, or whether tn,
Federal Reserve Board can furnish re
lief. If they can do SO, adequate bus
mess arrangements can be made"
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