Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-24
Problem Is Taken Up by the
Senate Agricultural CON-
mitteei Secretary Houston
Outlines the Program,
MILLION BOYS ARE TO
BE USED AT FARM WORK
William ], Bryan Is to Tour
the West to Plead for In
creased Production; Farm
erS' Organizations to Aid,

tsr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wHEl
Washington April 23.-Congress
took up the food problem today in
public hearings by the senate agrlcul-
tural committee, at which Secretary
Houston set forth the administration S
food control program.
At the same time the federal trade
commission, directed by President
Wilson to investigate with the depart
ment of agriculture the cause of high
food prices, asked all state governors
to send representatives to Washing
ton. April 80, for conference on
state cooperation in the inquiry.
Before appearing at the committee
hearing, Secretary Houston put his
plans before the heads of five big
farmers organizations and received
assurances of support. The farmers
representatives promised even to en-
dorse legislation giving the govern
ment power to fix maximum and
minimum prices in an emergency.
As it's part in the government
plans the department of labor an
nounced that it had undertaken the
mobilization OF 100000 boys as ac-
tive farm workers, to be known as
the United States Boys Working Re-
serve. Its operations will be directed
from Washington by william Edwin
Hall, of New York, president of the
Boys Club federation.
Bryan 10 Appeal TO West.
The announcements of the day bear
ing on the food situation were a def
milton of the duties to be performed
by Herbert - IIno"er, as chairman OF
the food commission of the Council of
National Defense, and the statement
that william j. Bryan would tour the
west to help spread the agricultural
department appeal for innreepcA
fooSt prod uCtrn. M Hoover. it was
stated, will advise as to the best
means of assisting the allies to meet
their food needs and will assist state
agencies and communities in meeting
their food problems.
Appearing with Secretary Houston
before the senate committee were the
representatives of the farmers organ
izations. Mr. Houston amplified his
letter to the senate last week and
answered many questions. He said
the department of agriculture lacked
machinery to obtain an accurate esti-
mate of the food supply and needed
Legislation to provide it.
Shortage of Staple Foodstuffs.
Aside from the wheat and potato
crop, there had been an indicated
shortage of staple foodstuffs, the sec
retary said. The nation needs for it's
normal domestic requirements about
64O,OOO,OOO bushels of wheat a year,
lie explained, including S0.O0O,OOO
bushels for seeding purposes. That
amount was about this years crop.
Last year the nation had a carry
over of about 70000,000 bushels of
wheat. From July 1, last, until
March 1, last, the amount exported
was about 100000 bushels. With
all these facts in mind the secretary
said it was hard to determine the
cause for $2.32 wheat
Probably" he added, there is
partly an economic justification, part
ly there is apprehension that low
prices paid few years ago will be
paid again. As to what extent prices
may be controlled, l have no facts to
base an opinion"
Production Has Increased.
Figures were given showing that
the production of corn, barley, OATS
lice, milk and butter, eggs and other
food products this year was greater,
or at least equaf, to the average for
ton had increased.
Il think" Mr.. Houston said the
high prices are due to combination
of circumstances.
"A combination of circumstance
and people," suggested Senator Ken
yon.
May be-" replied the secretary.
Secretary Houston said he had
heard there had been already storage
of quantities of food by people
alarmed over the situation, but he did
not believe this was general. In his
opinion, the farmer is sure to find
high prices continuing. even if peace
were to come now. He said the farm
er should be guaranteed minimum
price for things the government told
him he should grow to help the ma
ton.
sentiment Is Fine.
"The sentiment throughout the
country Is fine" he said. THE farm
ers are willing to respond to the best
of their ability. There are some diff
ficulties in their way but the farm
ers are just as patriotic as the rest of
us. 1t is natural, however, that when
they are asked to pay increased prices
for seed and fertilizer, they should
ask where do we get offH
II suggest that we should have leg
islation to fix a minimum price. !
don't believe congress should attempt
to fix prices of things that would be
subject to shift and the power should
be conferred on the executive. Per-
haps in certain extreme contingencies
there should be the power to fix max
imum prices. There might be causes
of speculation that could be controlled
that way. | suggest that you confer
the power on the Council of Ma
tional Defense to act at the direction
of the president in fixing maximum
and minimum prices"
Mr.. Houston said he did not believe