The sun., 1917-05-02
DRINK WASTAGE
EXPERT CHOSEN
DR.. A. i. Taylor to Study
Brewery and Distillery
Grain Problem.
FOOD NEEDS OF L. S. FIRST
Washington Move May Cur
tail Production of AlcO-
holic Liquors.
FOOD NEEDS OF L. S. FIRST

WASHINGTON. May IA strong inti-
nation that the Government Is soon to
take a step radically curtaillng the pro-
duction OF distilled and fermented
liquors in the United states came to-day
in the announcement that DR.. Alonzo T..
Taylor. an expert on the conservation
and economical utilization of food, has
been designated by the Department OF
Agriculture to undertake an exhaustive
consideration OF the proposal TO place
close limit on the use of grains in the
manufacture of intoxicants.
Food materials to the value of sl45,-
000.0 900 entered last year into produc-
ton of alcoholic liquors. Secretary Hous-
ton. as soon as II became apparent that
the United States would have to feed
not only its own people but the people
of its allies as we'll Immediately took
under advisement plan to utilize for
food purposes the large amounts of grain
that heretofore have been used in the
liquor industry.
Mr.. Houston has let It be known that
he has reached no definite plan as yet
and that the action taken or recon-
mended BY the Department will be de-
pendent largely on the result of the in
vestigation by DR.. Taylor. Sentiment
among Department officials is that there
should be some curtailment. the point
remaining to be determined appearing to
be as to how drastic cut should be
made In the Use of grains for distilleiy
and brewery purposes.
Big ConsumptiOn of Grain.
In the brewing Of beer there were
used last year 100000 bushels of bar
lax- hnc 20. of
1000 900 bushels of rice. The amount
OF corn used In the production OF dis
titled spirits in the fiscal year 1916 was
| 81 2,O69,542 bushels and of rye 3.ll6,6l2
bushels.
| The agitation in behalf Of n curtail-
ment OF the use Of grain In liquor pro-
| duction is spreading to the various
! States. a conference OF Governors has
been called In Washington for to-mor-
! row to recommend to the Government
! the entire prohibition Of the manufac-
| ture Of liquor during the war for con-
serving the grain supply. The confer-
! ence was called by Gov. Harris OF
: Georgia, and the details have been ar
ranged by Col. Thomas Il. Fielder OF
/ Atlanta.
I To hasten food production Il was
agreed to-day by Secretary Houston,
! Chairman Lever Of the House Commit
! tee on Agriculture a,ld Chairman Gore
4 OF the Senate committee that the Ad-
, ministration bills introduced In the Sen.
ate Yesterday should be withdrawn and
: reintroduced with all routine admins
/ trative provisions in one measure and
the regulatory provisions In another,
pros ra mmc to lie Speeded.
This. II is expected will facilitate au-
% N,,a -
forces for the department, SO greatly
needed. as there is likely TO be little
opposlt!on 20 these features Of the pro-
gramme.
The items against which there Is
likely to he opposition. such AS the
proyision for licensing and supervision
of all food agencies and the grant tn the
department OF power to fix maximum
and minimum prices, will be left for the
other bill whose passage probably will
be delayed for some time.
= Secretary Houston appeared to-day be-
fore the House Committee on Agriculture
and urged haste I'm the passage Of both
measures. He also said an important
means OF conservation could be taken IN
the elimination of waste in the house
holds of the countr. which he estimated
at $700.000.0o0 year.
chase by the Government of nitrates for
fertilizing purposes and their distrih,i-
ton at cost 10 farmers of the Atlantic
seaboard would be authorized by a bill
passed to-day by the Senate 81 10 g.
Increase in production OF food crops
mostly in South Atlantic States. Is the
object sought. The bill provides TO,
, transportation of nitrates from Chile in
Government vessels and their sac by
Federal authorities to farmers.
Farmers Indorse Measare.
Many Southern farmers and agrlcul.
tural organizations indorsed the meas.
ure. Senators Smith Of South Carolina
and Smith of Georgia told the Senate
that the Government could buy nitrates
row stored In this country. sell them tc
the farmers and later replace them by
bringing In more from Chile. Severa
Senators who expressed fear that nitrate
supplies needed for manufacture OF
, powder might be depleted were told thai
present supplies are sufficient for two
. years.
The South Carolina Senator said tha
by making nitrates available at reduced
. prices the corn and cotton crops OF tn,
south Atlantic seaboard could be in
creased from 90 to 100 per cent Th,
proposed appropriation, he said. had tn,
approval OF Secretary Houston. Senate
/ Simmons of North Carolina declared
. middiemen's profits and lack OF trans
portation facilities from Chile were re
spons,ble for exoroitant nitrate prices a
present.