Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-09
Editors Letter Box
Don't Stock Up Largely"

Editor kennebec Journal:
The writer was very much interested,
and considerably amused, in reading a
brief article in the daily Journal OF
April 10 under the above title; interested
because it is a matter worthy of serious
consideration, and amused because of the
source from which the advice came. This
was in the editorial column and l copy it
verbatim, as 1 wish the Journal. readers
to consider it carefully. THE manager
Of a we'll known Maine wholesale house
has this to say: Il wish the Kennebec
Journal would call to the public mind, in
terms that cannot be misunderstood, the
crime of buying supplies far in advance of
needs. ! wish the Journal could impress
upon the minds of those who are able to
buy six months or a years supply ahead
of their needs, that to do so at such a
time as this is unpatriotic; that it but in
creases the demand by shortening supply
and adds to the hardships of the masses
! who live from hand to mouth. l can
think of no more fitting word than 'un-
patriotic to characterize this act of the
well-to-do in stocking up largely and add
ing to the already overwhelming burdens
of the poor Please hammer this home to
EN- and you will be doing Gods service"
The writer believes this to be good ad-
vice so far as the wealthy people are con-
cerned, those who can pay for what they
buy, regardless of cost; but as to the
average citizen, the man who has to work
to support himself and family, it is an
entirely different proposition The writer
has had to work for his living. and ex-
poets to do so a little longer, but having
lived to be 65 years of age is able to do
but little hard work, and having a little
money that he could spare, took the lib
erty to buy enough flour to last several
months, believing then,-and now,-that
he committed no crime, or was unpa-
triotic! If merchant purchased quite an
amount Of flour, say four months ago
at IS per barrel,-which was about the
wholesale price at that time,-does any
one believe for q moment that if he had
some of 1t at the present time, he would
sell for less than the present retail price
Of $14 or SIS. and so make a profit of Sc
or 81? Flour has been rapidly increasing
In price within the past few weeks. and
many believe it will cost the consumer SIS
or $50 before many months. If a mer-
chant had bought a carload Of flour quite
recently, when 1t would have cost him
about So, and it goes as high as expected
does any one believe he would sell for less
than the expected price and make a pro-
fit of 6s, or s.? Usually they are not In
the habit Of doing business in that way,
for they are in business for the profit
there is in it! 1t has been claimed and
is generally believed, that there is a seri-
Gus shortage in the present supply of
wheat, but this claim has been ques-
toned; and there are reasons for such
claim; the wheat crop of last year,-and
this was undoubtedly true Of other grains,
was below the average, so that the sup
ply was not equal to the demand millions
Of bushels OF wheat have been exported
to countries across the water that are en-
gagged in the most cruel war the world
has ever known, and millions of bushels
have been sunk before reaching Its desti-
nation, and yet it has been claimed that
there are still millions of bushels in the
elevators.
The journal Of April 30 contained
short article. dated Chicago, April %, with
these head lines: Collapse in price Of
wheat, the British Government has suffi-
cient for the present; Chicago market
experts agree supply Is sufficient to meet
domestic requirements in United States
and Canada until new harvest is avail
able" A few days later, Lord Percy. one
OF the Engiishmen in this country at tho
present time in the interests of the Allies,
is reported to have said: There are
18.o0Q, 600 tons Of exportable wheat in the
Empire which could easily supply Eng
lands need Of 100000 TONS" and If these
statements are true. It certainly does not
look as IL the Allies. or the people in the
United States are very near starvation
yet!
The wheat crop Of 1916 passed out Of the
producers hands several months ago,
and at a price much below the present
market price. and there is a broad margin
between the price paid the grower several
months ago. and the price the consumed
has to pay for -four: who gets the benefit
of that margin? After paying cost OF
transportation, 1t 10 divided between the
miilers. the grain dealers and spectators.
the jobbers and wholesale and retail deal
ers. and millions OF dollars have been