The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1917-05-15
HOOVER ADVISES ON
FOOD CONDITIONS

|
NEW YORK, May 14-Herbert C..
Hoover, who recently came from Eu
rope to advise the Government on
food conditions in Europe, says that
without control we may see flour at
$40 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 a liberal man.
ner"
| Mr.. Hoover thus outlined food con
ditions in a statement to the Associ
ated Press:
There is absolutely no occasion
for food panic in this country nor
any justification for outrageous prices
unless the opposition of special inter
eSts defeats the President in obtain
/ ing the necessary powers to control
! the nations food fully and adequately.
Americas problem is not one of fam
inc, for we have now and will have
next year a large surplus. Our prob
lem is, after the proper protection of
our own people, to give to our allies
the last ounce of surplus of which we
are capable.
Therefore, the nation needs food
control for two purposes, to regulate
prices and to increase the surplus.
After providing for our normal 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
little disturbance to economic ma
chinery as need be, furnish them an
additional 20 per cent.
Their loaf even then will be a pri-
walton loaf, and every ounce we can
put in it will diminish their privation.
/ The problem is capable OF solution.
If, however, the whole world, allied
and neutral. is to have the unrestrlct-
ed run of our markets in competition
with the spectacular in this country
we may expect to see SO Wheal
before the year is over.
Large measures of food control do
not mean arbitrary interference with
the necessary economy in every branch
of trade. They mean that every branch
be called in by the Government and
forge themselves into link from
which the contemplated chain will pro
itect producer legitimate distributor
and consumer
, For instance, | am assured that
the American farmer did not realize
iS1.3O per bushel for the 1916 wheat
harvest. yet the price of wheat IL
New York to-day is 1925 per bushel
and flour $14 per barrel. with all its
attendant hardship and dislocation oil
industrial life.
81 have no hesitancy in saying that
if the able, patriotic men representing
the majority OF each branch or the
food trades were called in and clothed
with the necessary powers to force the
small minority of skunks that exist III
every trade, one result would be tna'
an equally nutritious flour, based on
even 81. 80 wheat. could be sold in New
York for a good deal under So pei
barrel. and every trade would receive
its legitimate profit. Without contro
we may see $40 -four before the year
is out and a toal dislocation OF wages
and consequent dislocation of indus
try and living.
ION the other hand. if we over
come the submarine and if we oper
other markets to our allies we ma!
see wheat at 81 a bushel and fiou'
under Sc. In any event, with sufllci
ent control the present pirce OF noul
can be reduced by 40 per cent. TO 81
ner cent. and at the same time tn'
producer be treated in liberal man
ner."