The sun., 1916-11-20
GROCBRS FEEL PINCH
OF FOOD SHORTAGE
Manufacturers, Unable to Sup
ply Trade, Cut Down
Sales Force.
SOME STORES NAY CLOSE
Commissioner Hartigan Insists
to Critics Farmers Are
Holding Wheat.
SOME STORES NAY CLOSE

Because OF the maDiIlty Oh mahuiaS-
turers Of certain standard food prod
ucts to supply the retail trade the num-
Der Of statesmen In the New York city
field have been cut down and srocers
fear that before January 1 they may
have difficulty In getting enough sup
plies to provide for the wants OF their
customers. These foodstufs Include
soups. beans, noodles and other things.
according to william winkelmann OF
$40 Amsterdam avenue. who Is a trus-
tee Of the Retail Grocers Association.
Mr.. Winkelmann said yesterday that
manufacturers claim they have not been
able to get proper quantities OF ma
terials that enter into the making OF
their products. They also have been
handicapped by the high cost OF labor
and the loss Of skilled workmen who
have gone into better paying Jobs. such
as munition making.
Mr.. Winkelmann told of n concern
that has withdrawn all Its New York
statesmen. He predicted that many small
groccrs will be forced out Of business
by January 1 unless conditions improve.
Hartigan Replies to Critics.
Joseph H%artigan. Commissioner Of
Weights and Measures. replied to
what he calls the Chicago Board OF
Trade food gamblers" the bureau OF
crop estimate experts and the grain
elevator authorities. who took issue with
his recent statement that the Western
farmers had underestimate their crop
estimates to the Federal Government.
thus forcing up the price Of foodstuffs.
For the frst time In the history OF
the United States" the COMMISSIONS
said. 1.-THE American farmer n pro-
Queer Is on the offensive. He has turned
the tables on the gamblers and specu-
lators. In place Of being dictated to as
to what he shall be paid for his products
and taking what the middleman pleases
to give him.. he now dictates to them,
He can choose his markets and name
his price.
Farmer Pawn No Longer.
THE farmer cannot b. fooled nova
days. He has been the foo gamblers
pawn too long. When ] stated that the
gatherers OF information on crop re.
ports did not get all and that you might
add about 25 per cent more to grain
and foodstufs than appears In the re-
ports. there was no charge Of conspiracy
deceit. dishonesty or falsity on the par
OF the American farmer. On the con-
trary. the American farmer was compli.
mented for his business sagacity.
In support Of my statement. when thu
end OF the month OF June next come,
round you will find that the bins and
storehouses pr the American farmer will
have showfa greater quantity of grains
potatoes. onions n other foodstuffs
than now appears to his credit in 80
called expert reports.
1T may be interesting for some PEG,
pie to know that In the urban communi.
ties the wage earners. the salaried peo'
tle. are urging embargo on meats AND
~foodstuffS and that In The country dis
tricts the farmer Is talking AMI thinkins
embargo on leather. lumber. steel, farm.
ing implements. fertilizer. horses, mule.
and clothes.
The farmer fortunately right now ha,
a trinity OF good triends-naturc. Prcsi
dent Wilson and his pocketbook. ] an
too genuine In my loyalty and supporr
OF President Wilson to urge anything
The was referring to an embargo.
to discourage mis- advanced and free att
tude In behalf of the American people.
Market Becoming Corner.
Authorities In grain the Commits
sioner continued. realize that basec
upon subnormal production and upon alb
normal expectation. Joined with illegiti
mate speculation and the well know,
fact that the foreign buyer Is outbiddln,
the American buyer. the wheat marke
Is automatically developing into a cor
ner. While no. Napoleon Of wheat ha,
II monopoly. nor n group of operator
have control. the fact will remain from
crop estimates that at present rati
OF foreign buying, 400. OO0, 900 bushels O
wheat are going on the home marke,
Adding the reported carry over from las
tanr aud dalt. sLN On n an
bushels needed for seeding. there will b
about 200, 200. 900 bushels Of wheat I
meet domestic needs and a crop or a
least $4,000. 900 bushels Is necessary.
believe that the first duty Of America
10 America.
THE most serious problem ~confron,
Ing the American home to-day is III
higher cost OF living. The commercis
structure OF this nation will be seriousl
In danger IL the outgo OF income &c
fo~odstufs continues to increase"