American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-05-15
FARMERS GET sI.3O FOR
WHEAT, PRICE NOW 1928
Former Head Of Belgian Relief Says
Present Prices May BE Reduced 40
10 30 Per Cent BY Supervision.

Herbert G.. Hoover, who recently
came from Europe TO advise the gov
eminent on food conditions IN Europe,
says that without control we may see
flour al $50 a barrel before the year
ls over, but that with control "the
present price on flour can be reduced
40 10 so per cent and al the same time
the producer be treated In a liberal
manner"
There Is absolutely no occasion for
food panic IN this country, nor any
Justification for outrageous prices un-
less the opposition Of special interests
defeats the president In obtaining the
necessary powers TO control the ma
tons food fully and adequately.
Americas problem is not one Of fam
inc, for we have now. and will have
next year. a large surplus. Our prob
lem is. after the proper protection of
our own people. to give to our allies
The last ounce OF surplus Of which w
are capable.
Therefore the nation needs a food
control for two purposes: TO regulate
prices and TO increase the surplus.
After providing for our normal con
sumption, we will have, together with
Canada, a surplus for our allies equal
To only go per cent of the food they
require from us. II we take broad
measures OF control, we can, with as
little disturbance TO economic machin-
cry as need be. furnish them an addi-
tional 20 per cent.
III the whole world, allied and neu-
trail. Is TO have the unrestricted run of
our markets I'm competition with each
other and in competition with the spec
ulator To- this country. we may expect
to see So wheat before the year IS over
Large measures Of food control do
not mean arbitrary Interference with
the necessary economic machinery of
trade. They mean that every branch
be called in by the government and
forge themselves into a link from
which the contemplated chain will
protect producer. legitimate distribu
tor and consumer"
For instance. / am assured that the
American farmer did not realize $3.50
per bushel for the 1916 wheat har-
vest, vet the price of wheat In New
York Is 1926 per bushel and flour is
$ii per barrel. with all it's attendant
hardship and d%islocation of social ana
industrial life.
u have no hesitation I'm saying that
~ The able. patriotic men representing
the majority of each branch of the
food trades We're called in and clothed
with the necessary powers to force
the small minority of skunks hat OK
isl In every trade. one result would be
that an equally nutritious flour. based
ON $50 wheat. could be sold i'm New
York for "a good deal under IS per
barrel, and every trade would receive
los legitlmate profit without control
we may see $50 flour before the wear
Is out. and a total dislOcation of wages
and consequent dislocation of industry
and living.
Food control Toes not mean bread
cards To the American people. II
means the broad conservation Of cur
food. the better handling by elimlna-
ton Of waste and speculation.
"Hoarding and speculation are rife.
yet there a be no particle of n doubt
that We have in North America today
a surplus OF from 50,OOO. 900 TO 10000
600 bushels of wheat beyond our or
binary consumption and beyond the
needs of our allies before the mex har-
vest comes in. Out of the next har-
vest. with no economy in consumption,
North America. even with the loss In
winter wheat, "a give with nj allies
t0O. 100000 bushels Of cereals OF one
kind or another.
Hut To protect our consumers from
today and to legitimately expand our
exports TO our allies without breaking
into our ~ necessary food. the gov
ernment must have widest and abso-