The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-02-24
This Year. Says Agicultu-
raj Department.
WILSON OPPOSES An EMBARGO
Writes to Mayor Mitchell
Erroneous Impressions
Obtain on Situation.
EXPORT 100000, 900 BUSHELS

Washington, Feb. 20.-There Is
no Shortage of wheat in the United
States and no danger of wheat
famine, according to an official
statement issued by the Depart
ment of Agriculture.
This bears out President Wilson S
statement made to-day that he be-
lieved an erroneous impression had
grown up concerning the food sup
ply OF the United States.
The President will not recon-
mend legislation authorizing him to
place an embargo on foodstuffs as
desired by men in Chicago, Mayor
Mitchell of New York and others, as
he figures that such step is not
needed.
The President has replied To May
or Mitchell, who asked the embargo,
that the matter is one to which
the administration has, of course,
from the first given the most careful
and thoughtful attention. The De-
partment of Agriculture is in pos
session of all the facts. About these
facts some very erroneous impress
sions obtain and il is our purpose in
the immediate future to remove
these MISUNDERSTANDING by Il very
full and clear statement of all the
facts. They will. | think, reassare
the country
Mayor Mjtchel's letter was refer
red TO MIR. Houston, who instituted a
thorough investigation which re-
suited in the statement issued by
the secretary.
The statement asserts that even
in the event OF a shortage of wheat
the department does not believe any
untoward results would be expe-
rienced by the people OF the United
States. II claims there are many
suitable substitutes which could be
eaten. Therefore it does not an,
ticipate that the continued export
of wheat will affect our people. at
least for some time to come.
The statement issued by the de-
partment declared that the surplus
of wheat, above domestic needs, on
hand Feb. would permit the en-
portation of nearly 10000 BUSH
els daily-about the recent average
until the new crop is available.
Moreover, there were larger supplies
of corn and other grains, meat ami
mails. dairy products, potatoes and
fruit at the opening of 1915 than
for many years.
Incidentally it was pointed out
that the average price of meat ami
mails was per cent. lower than in
January year ago; butter 2 per
cent, potatoes 80 per cent. apples
81 per cent and the price of chick
ems slightly lower.
"The 1914 wheat crop of the
United States was estimated to be
S91, 100000 bushels" said the
statement. THE estimated surplus
carried over from the 1913 crop
was about 10000 bushels. max
ing total available supply of 967,-
100000 bushels. AS the normal
annual per capita consumption of
wheat in the United States is about
5.S bushels. 100000. 900 bushels
should meet our normal domestic
requirements for food; 9o,000,000
bushels are required annually for
seeding. Therefore. 610,000,000
bushels should supply thes normal
domestic demand This would
leave a surplus of 357.000.o00
bushels.
'Of this surplus . nut 100000
900 bushels We're expirted By Jan.
80. This left l47,OoO.000 bushels,
or 100000 bushels more than
our average annual export for the
last five years, for export between.
Feb. 4 and the appearance of the
new crop. or for carrying over into
the next crop year.
1.-THE new American crop will be-
gin to appear before July. The Ar
gentine crop Is now coming on the
market. 1t is estimated that from
that source there will be available
100, zoe, 900 bushels. A surplus OF
100000 bushels or more from
India win be available In May and
June. The increase In the Sall sown