The Washington times., 1915-01-21
Retail Association Asserts Hiqh
Price Is Unwarranted, a nd
Urges Relief Measures.
EXPORT SUPPLY NEAR END
America Shipped About 145,.
100000 Bushels to Europe
During Past Six Months.

Resolutions demanding a Federal in
vestigation Of high wheat prices in the
United states were received at the De-
partment Of Justice today from the
executive board Of the National Asso-
citation Of Retail Grocers of the United
States. which recently met in Cleye-
land. Ohio.
These resolutions set forth that the
high price of wheat threatens to work
hardship upon practically the entire
American people through a consequent
rise In the price of bread.
With protests from many sections
Of the country and a Federal inves-
tigation Of the rise in prices practi-
cally under way. there is declared to
De no immediate prospect Of increas-
ed bread prices In Washington. One
OF the prominent bakers Of the city
said today that such q step had not
been considered by the bakers as a
class or organization. and that In his
rise at this time. He stated, how
ever. that the bakers were hard put"
by the high price of wheat and flour.
The resolutions received at the De-
partment of Justice from the Nation
al Retail Grocers' organization de-
clare that the high price Of wheat is
unwarranted. and demand Federal in
Vestigation. Necessary steps" to pre-
vent further rise in wheat prices Is
also asked.
The grocers' petition. following close
ly that OF the Housewives League pre-
sented by Mrs. Julia Heath, of New
York. will be given full consideration.
Figures given out today by the de-
800. 600 bushels of American wheat
available for export will be exhausted
within the next two months. II the
present rate of export continues.
During December. 1914. the United
OF wheat to Europe. During November
last the wheat exports were something
under 2O.OO0.OOO bushels. If this same
rate of export increase continues dur
Ing the next two months there will be
very little export wheat left in the
United States by April I.
Export Percentage Rising.
The Department Of Agriculture has an
nounced that 100000 600 bushels of the
1914 American wheat crop is available
for export. This amount is in excess Of
the normal export quantity. due to the
800. .ooo' ooo- bushels wheat crop in 1914.
Nevertheless. the United States has ex-
ported approximately 145.O0OOOO bushels
Of wheat to Europe during the six
months ending December 81. last and
the export percentage is steadily ris-
ing.
In July. 1914. the United States ship
ped 26.OO0.0OO bushels Of wheat across
the sea. In July. 1913. only 10000
bushels went across. The August ex-
ports Of 24,o0o.ooo bushels held even
with the August exports of 1913, but
the exports during September. 1914,
went way ahead Of the same month
the year before. The United States
exported 26.O0o.00o bushels last Sep
tember, although less than half that
quantity has gone across during the
previous September
The October export figures showed
even greater increases. In October
1914. America shipped over 2O.OOO.OO0
bushels compared to only 100000
bushels in October. 1913.
Jump Taken In December.
November. 1914. showed a still create,
increase. The November, 1914, expor,
figures were 1900. .OOO bushels. compared
to 100000 bushels in November. 1913
but all these increases pale beside the
enormous jump taken last December
when approximately 3O.OOO.O 900 bushels
| more than was exported during the
The export figures for December
therefore. show an approximate increase
OF 80 per cent Up to the first of the
present month. the 1914 wheat exports
had totaled nearly l46,OOO,OOO bushels
and II the same rate of increase which
| prevailed during December Is maintain.
| ed Tor the next two months, this cOun.
! Try VIII nave exported approximat ely
$780, OOUO bushels by April /. This vii
mean that the domestic supply will have
been drawn upon to the extent OF 80.
| OU,NO bushels, which Is enough to make
! itself felt seriously