New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-11
There viii Be Food Enough, and
A Surplus Even, if the Proper
Steps in Time Are Taken

Herbert c. Hoover, who fed the Bel
CLAUS. continues to insist that he does
not want the job of American food
controller. Nevertheless, he is marked
for it, according 10 advces from Wash
ington.
Mr. Hoover thus outlined food condi-
tions in a statement TO The Associated
Press yesterday:
There is absolutely no occasion for
food panic in this country, nor any
justification for outrageous prices, un-
less the opposition OF special interests
defeats the President in obtaining the
necessary powers to control the ma
tion's food fully and adequately. Amer
ica's problem is not one of famine, for
we nave 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.
therefore, the nation needs a food
prices and to increase the surplus.
After providing our normal oonsump-
tion we will have together wjth Canada
a surplus for our allies equal to only
60 per cent Of the food they require
from US If we take broad measures
Of control we can with as little dis
tu-bance TO economic machinery as
need be furnish them an additional
20 per cent. Their loaf even then will
be a privation loaf. and every ounce
we can put IN IL will diminish their
privation. The problem Is capable of
solution.
Menace Of Competition
"If, however, the whole world, Allied
and neutral, is 20 have the unrestricted
run Of oar markets in competition with
each other and in competition with the
speculator in this country. We may eX-
pect 10 see So wheat before the year
is over.
Large measures of food control do
not mean arbitrary interference with
the necessary economic machinery OF
trade. They mean that every branch
be called in by the government and
forge themselves into link from which
the contemplated chain will protect
producer, legitimate distributor and
consumer.
81 have no hesitation in saying that,
IL the able, patriotic men representing
the majority Of each branch Of ,he food
trades were called in and clothed with
necessary powers TO control the small
minority OF Skunks that exist IN every
trade. one result would be that an
equally nutritious -four. based m even
f.50 wheat. could be sold IN New YORK
for n good deal under So a barrel, ana
everv trade would receive It's legitimate
proft. Without control we may see
500 -four before the year IS out ana
total djslocation of wages and conse-
ouent dislocation Of industry and llV-
ing.
Flour Price Can BE Reduced
"On the other hand, If we overcome
tho submarine and IL we open other
markets 20 our allies we may see wnea'
al 81 bushel and -four under 50 par
rsI In any event. with sufficient con-
trol. the present price of -four can be
reduced by 40 per cent 10 30 per cent
and at the same time the producer
treated in a liberal manner.
"Without any form Of control we
orc likely TO see an even worse sltua-
zion than the high prices preyaihng'
resulting from the unrestricted dram
on our wheat abroad. IL is possloie
.bo, the last three months Of next
- NAV be bare Of breadstuns IN
this country. hx.sd