The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-08-17
without change or fluctuation.

without change or fuctuation.
1t should thus be clear that it will
not be to the advantage of any produ-
Ger to hold back his grain in anticipa-
tion Of furthur advance, for he will do
SO only at his own cost Of storage and
interest, and if it is necessary for the
Government to buy the entire wheat
harvest in order to maintain this fair
price in protection to the producer, we
intend to do SO.
Further more. the holding of wheat
or flour contracts by persons not engag-
ed in the trade and even when in trade,
in larger quantities than is necessary
for the ordinary course of their bust
ness, is unlawful under the act, and
such cases will be prosecuted with vi
gor. And we would advise such hold
ers to liquidatc 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 fluctuation
prices which are imposed upon our
milling and distributing community
will be eliminated and therefore their
business can return to the normal lines
and the normal margins Of profit. and
that we shall not only have stabilized
the price for wheat, but stabilized the
price of flour, and that it should enable
US to arrive at stabilized price Of
bread.
The food administration has had the
patriotic cooperation of the leading
millers of the country, and the millers
have organized at the request of the
food administration, committee to
represent the entire trade. Detailed
proposals for an agreed differential; of
profit and expenses per barrel of flour
and per ton Of feed are under discus
sion.
Under this arrangement the public
will be assured an equitable and stabi-
lized price of flour based upon the cost
Of raw material and we confidently ex-
pect the volunteer arrangement with
the mills which will give satisfaction
to the public.
The universal endeavor over the
country to reduce consumption of wheat
breadstuffs in order that we NAV have
the requisite exports with which to
carry the allies over the Forthcoming
Winter. will result in largely increas-
ed amount of wheat available for ex-
port.
If it were exported as wheat. it
would result in diminution of employ
ment of our mills, of equal Importance,
curtailment Of our supply Of mill feed
for our dairy cattle. Therefore, the
food administration will stipulate for
large proportion of export of flour in
stead of wheat, and as the export or
ders for -four will be given subject
to the approval of the food administra-
tion, those mills who cooperate with
the Administration will be given the
benefit of the exports employment.
BY thus encouraging the home pro-
duction of -four the manufacturing cost
will be reduced and therefore the
American public will receive indirect
benefit in lowered margins of costs in
distribution.
In accordance with the policy of the
administration to cooperate with all
trades, we are also discussing details
Of voluntary arrangements with the
-four distributors by which agreed diff
erentials may be effected in the whole
sale trade.
An exhaustive investigation is being
made into the cost Of baking and bread
distribution and active discussions are
being carried on with the Bakers War
Emergency Committee as to plans for
the elimination of waste in the indus
try and the production Of standard
loaf.
it is impossible to anticipate the
| price to be enunciated by the fair price
committee under DR.. Garfield and II
will probably require two or three
weeks in Its determination.
| The names Of the committee are be
ing submitted to the President and
will be announced early.
The basis of determination will be
to arrive at price representing faii
return TO the producer for his patrio.
| tic endeavor to increase the supply ant
proper reduction Of the cost Of -four
to the consumer.
Truck Saves SAL A Day
Frank L. Stubbleiield, who has ex,
tensive farming interests, near Walla
|. i.Walla, is using a-three and one half
ton truck for wheat hauling this yeai
and is,. saving ea1.7o day, he says.
| He is hauling 200 sacks Of grain day
picking it up in the field where the com
bine drops it ard hauling 1t TO the
warehouse, eight and one half mile
distant. The truck with two men II
doing the work of "a mules and six
drivers. Mr.. Stubblefeld figures this