The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-08-28
Will Control
Price Of Wheat
Food Control Bill Does Not Fix
Minimum Price For 1917 Crop,
and This Must Be Kept Within
Reason, to Curb Spectators.

Slid OI FTtrIufnt JhEttlu VI w
college, and II will be the duty Of this
committee to determine a fair price for
the 1917 harvest. Upon the determine
ton of this fair basis IL In the inten-
ton OF the food administration to use
every authority given 1t under the bin
and the control of exports to effect the
universally of this fair basis through
u the whole OF the 1917 harvest year
without change or f%luctuation. 1t
should thus be clear that IL will not be
TO the advantage Of any producer to
hold back his grain in anticipation Of
further advance, for he will do so only
at his own cost OF storage and interest,
and IL 1t is necessary for the govern
ment to buy the entire wheat harvest,
In order to maintain this fair price In
protection of the producer, the food ad-
ministrators intend TO do so.
A Blow at Spectators.
Furthermore, the holding OF wheat or
-four contracts by persons not engaged
I'm the trade, and wen when In trade,
In larger quantities than are necessary
for the ordinary course Of their bust
ness is unlawful under the act. and
such cases will be prosecuted with Wig
or. And such holders would be advised
to l%iquidate their contracts at once.
"By the above arrangement we be
lieve that we shall stabilize the price of
wheat throughout the year, that the
hazards OF operation due to fluctuating
prices which are imposed upon our
milling and distributing community
VIII be eliminated, and therefore their
business "A return to the normal lines
and the normal margins of profit, and
that we shall not only have stabilized
the price of wheat, bat stabilized the
price of -four, and that IL should enable
us 10 arrive at a stabilized price of
bread says the board.
The food administration has had the
patriotic cooperation Of the leading
millers OF the country, aud these mill
ers have organized at the request OF
the food administrators a committee to
represent the entire trade. Detailed
proposals for al agreed differential OF
profit and expenses per barrel OF -four
and per ton Of feed are under discus
sion. Under this arrangement the pub
lie will be assured an equitable and
stabilized price Of flour based upon the
cost OF raw material, and we confident.
" expect the volunteer arrangement
with the mills which will give satisfac-
ton to the public.
The universal endeavor over the
country to reduce consumption of wheat
breadstuffs, In order that we may have
the requisite exports with which tc
carry the allies over tho Forthcoming
winter, will result I'm a largely increas
ed amount of wheat available for ex
port. liz II were exported as wheat II
would result I'm d%imlnution of employ
ment In our mills and. Of equal impor
lance, curtailment of supply OF mil
feed for our dairy cattle. Therefor,
the food administration will stipulats
for a large proportion of export OF
Hour instead OF wheat, and as the ex
port orders for -four will be given
subject to the approval OF the food ad
ministration those which cooperate
with the food administration Will be
given the benefit OF the exports EN-.
ployment. BY thus encouraging the
home production of -four the manu-
featuring cost will be reduced. and
therefore the American public will re
ceive Indirect benefit in lowered mar
gins OF cost In distribution.
In accordance with the policy OF tn,
administration to cooperate with al
trades, 1t is also discussing details
OF voluntary arrangements with tn,
hour distributors by which agreed
difrerentials may be effected I'm tn,
wholesale trade.
Investigate Cost Of Baking.
An exhaustive investigation is beins
made into the cost of baking ant
bread distribution, and active discus
sions are being carried on with tn,
bakers war emergency committee a.
to plans for the elimination of vast,
In the industry and the production Of
a standard loaf.
1t Is impossible to anticipate tn,
price to be enunciated by the .fail
price committee" under DIR. Garfield
and 1t will probably require two OF
three weeks I'm its determination.
The basis of determination viii be Il
arrive at a price which represents 4
fair return to the producer for his pa
triotic endeavor to Increase the supply
and a proper reduction OF the cost OF
-four to the
1t must be evident to all thinking
persons that unless the price Of wheat
-four and bread can be materially re
duced we cannot expect to maintain
the present wage scale Of the country
and that we must In this social read
justment lose efficiency at a time wher
we can afford no such sacrifice.
Cheaper to Travel.