Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-11
Delay Of Congress Makes
II Impossible to Aid
Either Farmer or
Consumer.
IBy Associated pre...l

the food situation, prepared for PreSi-
dent Wilson by Herbert Hoover. hold
ing that both the farmer and the con-
suming public are suffering. while food
spectators make unearned profits from
the delay in enactment of food con-
troll legislation. was given out to-
night at the White House. Unless
strong and efficient government action
is Immediately taken. the food ad-
ministrator reported. the farmers will
face slump in wheat prices. and con-
sumers will be caught in situation
even more serious than that which al-'
ready is resulting in actual under
nourishment" in the great consuming
centers. The speculator. it is declar-
ed. is taking large part Of the prices
now paid by consumers.
we are practically helpless to safe
guard either the farmer or the con-
sumer. concludes Mr.. Hoover. until the
pending legislation is passed."
The report, in the form of a letter
to the President, was issued through
the public information committee. with
the statement that publicity was given
1t "in order that the country may know
how serious and far-reaching the con-
sequences may be both to the farmers
of the country and to the consumers
of the present delays in passing the
pending food legislation"
PRESIDENT MAKES
NO COMMENT ON REPORT
No comment by the President accom-
panied the report. although he has
more than once demonstrated his i'm
patience over the repeated delays in
Congress. Mr.. Hoover's letter follow (:
Dear Mr.. President:
I'm response to your request I send
you herewith the following notes COM
piled by myself and my associates upon
the present situation with regard to
wheat.
Il. The 1917 harvest promises to
yield 67S.ooo.ooo bushels. The normal
| International consumption and seed re-
quirement'7 tassuming n carry-over OF
same volume in 1918 as in 1917.
amounts to about 600 Oo0.0 bushels,
| thus leaving a theoretical export bal
ance of 7S.0oo,ooo bushels. The con-
servation measures are already hav-
ing marked effect. and IL is not too
| much to hope that the national saving
may be $4,000. 600 to 1 90. 1000. 900 bushels.
and. therefore, the export balance in
! creased to. say 15S,0O0.OOO to 100000
; 600 bushels.
"2. The experience this year in the
rampant speculation. extortionate pro-
fits and the prospect of even narrower
! supplies than 1916 harvest and carry
over. must cause the deepest anxiety.
No better proof of the hardship worked
upon our people during the past year
needs be adduced than the recitation
OF the fact that the producer received
an average Of s1.51 per bushel for the
1916 wheat harvest; yet wheat has been
as high as 1925 at Chicago. and the
price of -four has been from time to
time based upon this speculative price
OF wheat, so that through one evil
cause or another, the consumer has
suffered from so to 100 per cent, and
the producer gained nothing
EXPORT PRICE SUBJECT TO
WILL OF ALLIED BUYER
"3. During recent months the allied
governments have consolidated their
buying into one hand in order that
they might relieve the burden of spec
ulation from their own consumers. and
as the restricted exports to neutrals
are but minor item, the export price,
II not controlled is subject to the will
of the allied buyer, so that in n great
measure the American producer is left
to that buyers judgment. and Is with
out voice.
"a. With great reduction In the con-
sumption OF wheat bread now fortu-
| nately in progress. the employment Of
our mills must be greatly diminished
and. with the reduction of domestic
-four production, our daily feed from
wheat residues will be greatly cur
tailed. Therefore. we must induce for
eign buyers to accept -four instead Of
wheat.
"5. In order to do justice to the pro-
ducers who have shown great patriot
ism In a special effort to increase pro-
duction- in 1917 and to further stimu-
late the efforts Of 1918. 1t is abso-
lutely vital that we shall protect the
farmer from slump in prices this
year. ! am informed that most OF the
allied count.ie have fixed the price
of wheat to the farmer at $3.50 per
bushel, and many of their producers
believe that as allies. II Is our duty
to furnish wheat at price which. de-
livered to them. will not exceed their
domestic price: In other words. about
$3.50 per bushel, Chicago.
INCREASED PRODUCTION
IN INTEREST OF ALLIES
Neither their responsible officials
nor hold this view. because I con-
slider that the stimulation to produc-
ton, IL no other reason, Is in
the long run. in the interest of
the allies. There is. however.
limit to price which so tres
passes upon the rights Of the consum-
err as to defeat its own object through
strikes, rises In wages. and social dis
turbances in the country. 1t Is with
the view to finding solution to these
problems filled with the greatest dam
gers to both our producers and con-
sumers. that legislation has been pro-
posed and pressed for speedy enact
ment. u.
"s. The proposed food administration
has conferred with many hundred pa
triottc men engaged In production and
~ {Continued on Second Page.)S FS