The Washington herald., 1915-02-20
BILLS SLAP HIGH .:
COST OFbREAD
Measures Authorizing Max
ing of Mixed Flour Before
House and Senate.
HEARING IN COMMITTEE
Favorable Action in Congress Before
Adjournment Expected by
Advocates.

Legislation which its advocates believe
will result in a material reduction In
the present high cost of bread has been
initiated in both Houses Of Congress-
Mr.. Cumm.ns. in the Senate. yesterday,
and Mr.. Vollmer. in the House. on Thurs
day. introduced bills that will authorize
the manufacture Of four composed of
50 per cent Of wheat -four and 30 per cent
of the milled product Of corn. The bill
was given a hearing before the Ways
and Means Committee Thursday. and it
Is said that committee expects to hasten
1t through the House in the expecta-
ton OF favorable action in the Senate
before adjournment
At this hearing it was said that through
the use OF this mixed flour the supply
of American breadstuffs would be in
creased 20 per cent. There is now being
ground annually by the American manu-
facturer Of products from corn a total
Of 100000 bushels of that staple.
Would Increase supply.
This large amount, if permitted to be
used in mixed flour by those who desire
to use il. would naturally increase the
total supply of breadmaking material i'm
mensely. 1t also was emphasized before
the committee that the proposed mixed
-four would be subject to the pure food
regulations and would he required to be
properly labeled so that those who pur-
chased It would know what they were
obtaining
Technical information was submitted to
show that a -four of this kind produces
wholesome bread material. And from the
economic side of the question it was as
serted that it would reduce She cost OF
four at least 81 barrel and per-
haps more. This. members of Congress
believe. is an item of vast importance
to the American people when taken in
the aggregate. Those who advocate this
legislation say it presents the only
remedy with which to meet present con-
ditions due to large wheat exports and
rapidly increasing prices in the domestic
market.
1t was pointed out at the hearing
before the Ways and Means Committee
that several of the countries now at
war. and particularly Germany, are re-
curing by law that wheat -four shall
be so mixed as to lower the cost OF
bread and conserve the existing supply
of wheat. Even in England. it was
said. the shortage of wheat and the diff
fculty of importing it has largely in
creased the amount of the milled pro-
duct of corn now going into food chan
ne1s. The use of this product in this
country. it was argued. would prevent
the necessity Of placing an embargo on
wheat, would work to the advantage
of the producer and compel reduction
from present almost prohibitive prices
on -four.
All liked Flour Taxed.
This legislation. it was stated is
necessary. as the manufacture of mixed
four of any kind was taxed under the
Spanish-American war tax act. and Is
the only provision OF that law still IN
repealed. officials of the Treasury De-
partment are said to favor the 1egisla-
ton. and il will he pressed in the belief
that the present situation demands that
those who wish it may have a bread
that is wholesome but not so taxing
npnp their