South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-11

in this country. we may expect TO
see 50 wheat before the year is over.
No Interference i'm Trade.
Large measures of food control
do not mean arbitrary interference
with the necessary economic ma
chinery of trade They mean that
every branch be called in by the
government and forge themselves
into a link from which the contem-
plated chain will protect the pro-
Queer, legitimate distributor and
consumer.
For instance, l am assured that
the American farmer did not realize
$3.50 per bushel for the 1916 wheat
harvest, yet the price of wheat in
New York today is S3.25 per bushel,
and -four is S14 per barrel with all
its attendant hardship and disloca-
ton of social and industrial life.
SIxunks i'm Every Trade.
IT have no hesitation in saying
that if the able, patriotic men repre-
senting the majority Of each branch
of the food trades were called in and
clothed with the necessary powers to
that exist in every trade. one result
would be that an equally nutritious
flour. based on even $3.50 wheat
could be sold in New York for
good deal under SIS per barrel. and
every trade would receive its legiti-
mate profit. Without control We
may see $40 -four before the year is
out and a total dislocation of wages
and consequent dislOcatiOn of indus
try and living.
"On the other hand. if we over
come the submarine and if we open
other markets TO our allies we may
see wheat at 81 a bushel and flour
under $6. In any event, with sutti
cient control the present price Of
flour can be reduced by ~ 10 so per-
cent and at the SAME time the pro-
Queer treated in a liberal manner.
Without any form of control we
are likely to see an even worse stu
alton than the high prices prevailing
resulting from the unrestrained
drain on our wheat abroad. It is
possible that the last three months
of next year we may be bare Of
breadstufs i'm this. country
Does Not Mean Bread Cards.
Food control does not mean
bread cards TO the American peo-
pie 1t means the broad conserva-
ton of our food. the better handling
by elimination of waste and specu-
lation With proper control for
America the government would ask
Al
consumer. that he eat plenty. but
wisely and waste nothing, and if
democracy is a faith worth defend
ing our people will do this service
voluntarily and willingly.
"Hoarding and speculation are
rife. yet there can be no particle of
a doubt that we have today in North
American a surplus of from 10000
GOO to 100000 bushels OF wheat
beyond our ordinary consumption
and beyond the needs of our allies
before the next harvest comes in.
out of the next harvest, with no
economy in consumption. North
America. even with the loss in win
ter wheat. can give our allies 400
600. GOO bushels Of cereals of one
kind or another
L. =. Must Control.
But 10 protect our consumers
from today and to- legitimately eX-
pand our exports 10 our allies with
ont breaking into our own necessary
food the government must have
widest and absolutely immediate
powers. Time is the essence Of the
matter No European government
except Germany was able 10 secure
these powers until af.er some great
disaster was irrevOCable, and we sit
here dumbly waiting for disaster
and then we shall scream and criti-
cize the government for not having
done something that they are pow
erless 20 do.
There has been a great deal of
discussion in the press as TO my
coming 10 America 10 take the posi-
tion OF food dictator or food con-
troller This is not the case.
came 20 washington from Europe AT
the request OF the government 20 adj
wise them as 10 the organization
necessary TO set up for proper and
efficient food control.