New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-24

At the same time the Federal Trade
Commission, directed by President Will
son to investigate with the Department
Of Agriculture the causes of high food
prices. asked all Governors to send rep
resentatives to Washington April 30 for
conference to discuss state coopera-
tion.
Leaders of Farmers Confer
Resides representatives of the De-
partment Of Agriculture, the confer
ence with Mr. Houston was attended by
d. c. Mahoney, of Wisconsin. repre-
senting the American Society of Equity;
Oliver. Wilson. of Illinois, the National
Grange; H. /. thinner, of Indiana
Ancient Order of Cleaners; c. 5. Bar
rett. of Georgia, Farmers Union, and
A. G. Stockbridge, of Georgia, Farmers
National Congress.
Al tho conference It was pointed OUT
that the farmers need insurance against
overproduction and resulting glutted
markets. It was said that in the past
farmers. ar the instance of state and
Federal agricultural authorities, had IN
creased their acreage in staple crops
and that they had not obtained sur
6cient return for their products to pay
the costs Of the increased production
The representatives Of the agriculture
oroanizations urged that the govern
mont take steps "a guard against this
contingency bv establishing minimum
nrices on non-perishab;e staples.
Congress will be asked, it - stated
,o Give the Department of Agriculture
vide latitude in establishing grades
and nrices. Il is probable that MINI
mum price will be fixed on all staple
cereals. corn. the various kinds OF Deans
and several othe- pershaoles' =. i
will be necessary. 1t IS SAID 70 TX on
, ferent minimums for different sectloh'
Of tho country. on account OF the vary
no cos+s of labor and transportation.
Million Boys on Farms
As its part in the government
mans the Department of Labor an
pounced that it had undertaken the
nobilization Of a million boys through
out The country as active farm WORKERS
for tho summer. An organization VIII
bo formed. TO be known as the United
states Bows Working Reserve. us OPP
orations will be directed from Wash
ington by William Edwin HAL, OF New
; Val prcsident of the Boys Club Fed
/ Grafton. who has been called mere 'y
Secretary Wilson for the task;
Two announcements OF the day pear
ing on the food situation were denni'
ton Of the duties TO De performed ny
Herbert c. Hoover as chairman OF tne
fooJ committee of the Council OF Ma
tional Defence, and the statement ", INA.
William J. Bryan would tour the est
n helm spread the Agricultural De,
nartment's appeal for increased food
"It is especially desired TO have Mr.
. Uoover renort TO the council on the eN-
nerience and action OF European gov
arnments in the matter Of food produc'
lion conservation and prices, and ia
make suggestions and recommendation
as 70 the best methods of assisting the
Allies 10 meet their food needs and OF
preventing the evils arising from spec
ulation and manipulation, SAID W; >
r Clifford, Of the council. II ~ 1urtEet
desired that Mr.. Hoover, cooperating
with other agencies. especially the De
nartment of Agriculture, assist sta 4
agencies. and particularly urban CON
81 munities. in the study, distribution ''n'i
. conservation Of food supplies
Anpearing with Secretary Houston
% before the Senate committee were the
. CONSERVATIVES Of the farmers organl-
zations. Mr.. Houston amplited the let
tor he sent TO the Senate last week
and answered questions about food sup
? niles. high prices and proposals ioI
price.fxing legislation.
Why Wheat Is High
Aside from the wheat and potato
irons there had been no indicated
, sbortaqe Of staple fodstufs, the Sec
retarv said. The nation needs for us
normal domestic requirements about
! $40 OOO 900 bushes Of wheat year. M
, eYnlained. including 80,000,000 bushels
, for seeding purposes. That amount
he said. was about this years crop
. last wear the nation had "carry-over'
/ 81 about 10000. 900 bushels OF wheat
From July ! until March last the
. omount exported was about l3O,OOO,OOl
. bushel with all these facts in mind
,be Secretary said. IL was hard 20 de
terrire the cause for $2.32 wheat.
.The sentiment throughout the coun
try is fine" said he. Undoubtedly the
farmers are willing 20 respond 10 the
, hest OF their ability. There are some
difcultles in their way. but the farm
ers are Just ss patriotic as the rest Of
- us. Il Is natural, however, that wher
thew are asked TO pay increased prices
for seed and fertilizer they should ask
, Where do we get of"
81 suggest that We should have legis
lation 10 FIX a minimum price. ! sug
! gest that you confer the power on the
! Council OF National Defence 20 act a
, the direction Of the President IN hxinl
maximum and minimum prices"