Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-11

New York, May IL. - Herbert c.
Hoover, who recently came from
Europe to advise the government on
food conditions in Europe, says that
without control we may see -four at $50
a barrel before the year is over, but
that with control "the present price of
-four can be reduced 40 to so per cent
and at the same time the producer be
treated in liberal manner"
Mr.. Hoover thus outlined food con-
ditions in statement to the Associ-
ated Press:
There is absolutely no occasion for
food panic in this country nor any jus
LITIGATION for outrageous prices unless
the opposition of special interests de-
feats the president in obtaining the
necessary powers to control the ma
tions-food fully and adequately Amer
ica's problem is not one of famine. for
We have now and will have next year
a large surplus. Our problem is, after
the proper protection of our own peo-
pie. to give to our allies the last ounce
of surplus of which we are capable.
Nation Needs Food Control.
Therefore the nation needs food
control for two purposes--to regulate
prices and to increase the surplus.
After providing for our normal~c con-
sumption we will have together with
Canada, a surplus for our allies equal
to only so per cent of the food they
require from us. If we take broad
measures of control we can. with as
y,x,1 AZ obi
crS. az need be. furnish them an addi-
tional 90 per cent.
Their loaf even then will be Il pri-
walton loaf. and every ounce we can
put in it will diminish their nriratic:.
The problem is capable of solution. II,
however, the whole world allied and
neutral is to have the unrestricted run
of our markets in competition with
each other and in competition with the
Spectator in this country. we may ex-
pect to see IS wheat before the year
is over.
Farmers Lose on Wheat.
For instance. / am assured that the
American farmer did not realize s1.30
per bushel for the 1916 wheat harvest,
yet the price Of wheat in New York to-
day is 1925 per bushel and -four is $14
a barrel, with all its attendant hard
ship and dislocation Of social and in
dustrial life.
II have no hesitation in saying that,
II the able, patriotic men representing
the majority of each branch of the food
trades were called in and clothed with
the necessary powers TO force the small
Of skunks that exist in every
trade to behave. one result would be
that an equally nutritious -four, based
on even $3.50 wheat, gould be sold in
New York for a good deal under So
per barrel, and every trade would re-
ceive its legitimate profit Without
control, we may see $50 -four before
the year is out and total dislocation
Of wages and consequent dislocation of
industry and living.
''On The other hand, II we overcome
the submarine and II we open other
to oaaY allies we may see wheat
at 81 busheT and -four under Sc In
any event. with sufficient control. the
present price of -four can be reduced
by 40 to SO per cent and at the same
time the producer treated in liberal
manner.
Hard Times Feared.
Without any form Of control weSare
likely to see an even worse situation
than the high prices prevailing. result
ing from the unrestrained drain on our
wheat abroad. 1t is possible that the
last three months of next year we may
be bare Of breadstuffs In this country.
Food control does not mean bread
cards to the American people. It
the broad conservation of food.
the better handling by elimination Of
waste and speculation. With proper