Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-08-17

if it is necessary for the government to
buy the entire wheat harvest in order to
maintain this fair price in protection Of
the producer, we intend to do so.
Furthermore, the holding Of wheat or
-four contracts by persons not engaged in
the trade, and even when in trade, in
larger quantities than is necessary for the
ordinary course Of their business. is IN
lawful under the act and such cases will
be prosecuted with vieor.
And we would advise such holders to
liquidate their contracts at once"
by the above arrangement we believe
that we shall stabilize the price Of wheat
throughout the year that the hazards Of
operation due to fiuctuating prices which
are imposed upon our milling and dis
ttibuting community will be eliminated
and therefore their business can return
to the normal lines and the normal
margins of profits. and that we shall
not only have stabilized the price Of wheat.
but stabilized the price of -four, and that
1t should enable us to arrive at stabilized
price Of bread.
THE food administration has had the
patriotic cooperation Of the leading mill
ers Of the country, and these millers have
organized, at the request Of the food ad-
ministration, committee to represent the
entire trade.
Detailed proposals for an agreed differ
entail 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 sta
bilized price of -four 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 endeaver over the coun-
try to reduce consumption of wheat bread
stuffs in order that we may have the requi-
site exports with which to carry the allies
over the forthcoming winter. will result in
largely increased amount of wheat avail
able for export
IF it were exported as wheat it would
result in diminution of employment in our
mills, and Of equal importance, curtail-
ment of supply Of mill feed for our dairy
cattle.
Therefore. the food administration will
stipulate for large proportion of export
of -four instead Of wheat. and as the ex-
port orders for -four will be given subject
to the approval Of the food administration
those mills who cooperate with the ad.
ministration will be given the benefit Of
the exports employment.
by thus encouraging the home produc.
ton of flour the manufacturing cost will
be reduced. and, therefore, the American
public will receive indirect benefit in low.
cred margins Of cost in distribution.
in accordance with the policy of the
administration to cooperate with al
trades. we are this week also discussing
details of voluntary arrangements will
the flour distributors by which agreed
maximum differentials may be effected il
the wholesale trade.
IAN exhaustive investigation is beinI
made into the cost of baking and breaC
distribution and active discussions ar
being carried on with the bakers wa
emergency committee as to plans for tn,
elimination of waste in the industry an,
the production Of standard loaf.
1T is impossible to anticipate the pric
to be enunciated by the fair price com
mittee' under DR.. Garfield, and it will prob
ably require two or three weeks in 1t
determination.
THE names Of the committee are beini
submitted to the President, and will b.
early announced.
THE basis Of determination will be t
arrive at price which represents a fai
return to the producer for his patriot
endeavor to increase the supply and
proper reduction Of the cost of -four to tn
consumer.
ut must be evident to all thinking pei
sons that unless the price Of wheat. fiou
and bread can be materially reduced. W
cannot expect to maintain the presen
wage scale of the country. and that W
must in this social readjustment lose eff
cheney at time when we can afford n
such sacrifice"