Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-12-01
ECONOMISTS FoREsEE DEFEAT
OF FOOD EXPORT EnBERGoEs-
BY Kent r. Cochran.

DJ NNHE NSGHAaEl-
The defeat OF any measure intro
duced in Congress TO prohibit the er'
portatiou OF foodstuffs with view 10
lowering the cost OF living in this
country Is forecasted alike BY govern.
ment economies officials and political
students.
Politicians point out that President
Wilson has shown on several occasions
his opposition to such embargoes. The
large majority of senator's and repre-
sentatiyes Will stand firmly against
such proposals. This will be true par.
ticuIariy of the entire Western cOntin.
gent, fl is declared. because Of the
backbone pressure that will Be exert
ed mainly by agricultural interests
who realize that food embargoes would
inevitably result in 4 curtailment Of
the big profits they have realized from
the sale OF grain for the last two years
Economists are loud in the expires
sion Of their belief that the basic eco
non1ic lzw-that high prices stimulate
production and therefore tends TO over
come great extremes in prices-should
be relied upon; They are uniredly Of
the opinion that if embargo bills
should come TO debate, and Represen-
tztive Fitzgerald OF New York has an
nounced mis- intention Of leading a
Tight for The passage Of such a meas
ure in the houss-it will be shown that
such laws only for the time beins
would reduce the prce Of foodstuffs u
American consumers.
The economists explain their couteD.
ton BY the fact that the high prices
OF wheat that bas maintained since III.
war started has imPelIed farmers OF
the country 10 SOW an enormously in.
creased acreage OF the grain. and that
a normal crop next year will put on
the market millions Of busheI. Of
wheat more than was 10 be had thi-
year, with the result that prices next
year will certainly not be higher than
now prevail. and possibly somewba,
lower
should expectation OF wheat b. pro
aibited, the economists declare the
wheat acreage would b. materially de
creased. which would result in a heayy
shortage Of production with an ultI-
mate consequent rice in price. There
fore 30 long as the war continues and
The prices Of other foodztuffs and
manufactures remain at the present
nigh mark the price Of grain is bound
10 BE- above normal in company with
all other foods and articles of com.
merce.
II is also argued by the economist
tina, an American embargo on the ex-
poTtation Of wheat would result juI
greatly Increased paintings and stimu.
lated production in other wheat-groy.
ing countries which would reap the
benefit OF the high prices the entente
allies are paying and will continue to
pay for grain so long as the Russian
wheat supply is cut off and the allies
labor supply is kept in the trenches.
Another argument put forth is that
the farmer finding his high-priced
gram markets blocked, would take
STOCK and find himself paying war.
Time prices for everything manufac-
tured that ne buys, especially articles
Of iron' steel. copper. etc, and would
promptly demand. and likely obtain
prohibition of the expectation OF such
articles. In the end there would b.
raised a great clamor by consumers of
al classes for embargoes on many
xmas OF foodstuffs and manufactured
and raw materials which, II put into
effect would greatly decrease produr.
ZION Of everything grown or manufac.
tured in the nation.