Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-02-26
Has Wheat To Spare.

The United States is not in any danger
of food famine as a result of the large
expectations Of grain and meats to the
warning nations of Europe, according to
the finding of Secretary Houston and the
crop experts of the Department Of Agri-
culture, who made an investigation into
the present visible supply and the European
demand for American farm products.
The findings, which have been made
public, set forth that the United States
has surplus wheat supply of 357 ,000,-
900 bushels available for foreign markets.
2l0,000.000 bushels of which has already
been exported, leaving l47, 100000 bushels
yet to be sold abroad without endangering
the normal needs of this country. This
would permit the expectation of nearly
million bushels a day, about the recent
average, until the new crop Is available.
Moreover. there were larger supplies of
corn and other grains, meat animals, dairy
products, potatoes and fruit at the open
ing of 1915 than for many years.
Incidentally. il was pointed out that the
average price Of meat animals was per
ONlNs iOWbi u yNuh ukO .
butter, 2 per cent. potatoes, 3 per cent. !;
apples, 81 per cent. and the price Of
chickens slightly lower.
The departments inquiry and announce
ment are made in response to Congress
siOnal agitation and to request of Mayor
Mitchell, of New York, for an EMBARGO on
the expectation of American foodstuffs.
To the demand Of Mayor Mitchell. Presi-
Hanf William aanf n laftar "A tho Maui XnrL
Executive, calling attention to the Agri-
cultural Departments data, compilation
of which he ordered Secretary Houston to
make after discussion by the Cabinet of
the food situation in this country.
The President in this letter said many
erroneous Impressions obtained regarding
the food situation. and he expressed the
opinion that the country would be re-
assured after learning the departments
figures.
The Department of Agricultures survey
Of the food situation in the United States
is. in part, as follows:
THE 1914 wheat crop of the United
States was estimated to be 891,000,000
bushels. The estimated surplus carried
over from 1913 crop was about 10000
900 bushels. There was. consequently, a
total available supply Of 967,00O.000
bushels. Six hundred and ten million
bushels should supply the normal domestic
demand in this country, OF which $780,
000. 900 bushels is for domestic require
ments for food and 90.000,000 bushels
are required for seeding.
This would leave a surplus Of 357,-
100000 bushels. Of which 210,000,000
bushels were exported by January 80,
leaving l47 100000 bushels. or 100000
900 bushels more than our average an
nual export for the past five years, for
export between February and the APP
pearance Of the new crop, or for carrying
over into the next crop year.
The Agricultural Department declares
the large demand for American wheat is
due TO an estimated world shortage Of
400, 100000 bushels outside the United
States. In addition, the Russian export
able surplus Of l00.000,000 bushels is
tied up by the war and cannot reach the
markets. On top Of these conditions comes
the enormous demand by the warning ma
tons for food supplies. But for these con-
ditiOns. the report sets forth. America
would have trouble disposing Of its tre-
mendous surplus of food products.
The statement also says that the 100, :
100000 bushel Argentine crop of wheat
is now coming on the market, and by May
and June the 75,000.000 bushels of In
dian wheat will be available. Il further
asserts that large increase in wheat
acreage has been planted in the Northern
Hemisphere, which will be available next
fall. The increased acreage in the United
States is II per cent, or 100000 acres
in Canada. SO per cent. in India, 22 per
cent. in the United Kingdom, 10 per cent.
in Switzerland, 10 per cent in Italy, 5
per cent, and in Denmark. 3 per cent.
But suppose shortage in wheat should
develop in the next three months, says
the statement, what would be the situa-
ton There is a great surplus in other food
crops in the United States, number Of
which can be used as substitutes. Wheat
does not constitute more than IL per cent.
Of the normal diet. about the same al
poultry and eggs Meat and dairy pro
ducts constitute 48 per cent. vegetables
II per cent nuts, sugar. fish and Other
items the remaining 10 per cent"
Bearing more than 100000 names, II
response to appeals by the National Ex
ecutive Committee Of the Socialist party
a petition asking President Wilson anC
Congress to establish food supply depot
was filed in the House by Representativ,
Kent. Of California. an Independent.
The petition declares that "the specula
tors are arbitrarily and unnecessarily rails
ing the prices Of necessities Of life" an
that the Government should conserve tn
interests Of producers and consumer
against spectators.
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