The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-31
Price Fixed by Government as
Fair to All, Does Not
Meet Unanimous
Approval.
MEETING OF PROTEST
Grain Mon and Farmers Say the Fig
ure Is Too Low, While the
Consumer Says
Nothing.

United Press Leased Wire SerVlce.1
ST. PAUL, Mimi, Aug. 31.-The Ma
tional Non-partisan league issued an
invitation today to representatives OF
wheat growing states to meet IN St
Paul within two weeks to discuss the
government fixed price OF $2.20 for
wheat The league wants q higher
price
The convention probably will be held
September II to 10, according to
President A. G. Townley, of the Non
partisan league here today.
He stated that 10000 farmers would
attend. He said s. would be near
fair price, indicated that the farmers
might hold out for that figure at the
meeting.
The conference will protest against
the maximum price of $220. EVERY
farmer, commercial clubs from all
wheat growing districts, members OF
congress and the Garfield price fixing
commission win be invited to the three
day meeting. Public officials and Ia
Dor leaders will attend. The confer
ence will be preceded by one day
mass meeting at Fargo. N. D" for
North Dakota and Montana farmers.
"The price as set is too low" Pres1-
dent Townley, of the Non-part1san
league declared today. 1T means
bankruptcy for many farmers in those
districts where the crop was poor this
year and it means thousands OF farm
ers will have to turn to other crops
next year If the government wants
q big wheat crop next year 1t owes II
to the farmers to pay them a ralr
price"
= LII.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3l.-Con-
gressmen representing some wheat
states, denounced as monstrous In
Justice the 1920 price set for wheat.
For the North Dakota delegation,
Congressman Baer, non'partlsan'
said:
s'The price set is monstrous in
Justice to, and discrimination against
the growers of the northwest. FRO
ducers in the south have sold their
crop at the market price. Gamblers
have been receiving $3.50 bushel IN
Chicago for imaginary wheat. Now
the farmer comes along with high
grade grain and Is penalized by the
beneficient food administration. The
government has broken faith with
the northwest producers"
Other congressman said that not
one farmer in twenty raised the NO.
1 northern grade wheat, which alone
the price the government
set. Much wheat, they said, will sell
we'll below the 81 mark.
Baer said that limiting middlemen's
nrofts would do the consumer more
good than any price imposed on the
producer.
"On the open market" said Sena-
tor Johnson, South Dakota, the
farm er could get SO to $3.50 bushel
for his wheat. The government.
therefore, is taking close to so per
cent of his war profit. Now let us
do the same all along the line
Return Of Five Cent Loaf.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.-The five
cent loaf, containing fourteen ounces,
is in sight today as a result of gov
ornamental wheat price fixing at 1920
a bushel for the 1917 crop. The
wheat administration believes that
while farmers may be displeased to
some extent by a price lower than
they expected the new system will
make their profits sure; will prevent
speculation, give millers and bakers
a fair margin and assure the work
ing man fair priced bread.
The price fixing committee said to-
day it believed the farmers as pat
riotic duty should be willing to re-
linquish some profits for the good of
the whole war cause.
The new prices will prevail not
alone for the United States, but also
for the allies for whom purchases
will be made through the National
Wheat corporation. President Will
son expressed himself as confident