The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-16
SHOWS NEED OF ACTION,
HOOVER TALKS OF FOOD CON.
troll PROBLEM,
America Has Enough for Itself But
Must be Prepared to Give Aid to
European Allies.

N>S" VIM 1Ndy 1V.-I1crUert -.
Hoover. who recently came from Eu-
rope to advise the government on
food conditions in Europe, says that
without control we may see -four at
$50 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 O liberal man.
ner'
Mr.. Hoover thus outlined food con-,
ditions in statement to the Asso-
ciated Press today:
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.
Americas problem is not one of fam
Inc. for we have now and will have
next year q 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 a food
cOnfrOl fnr t,uo v>,,r0oooo. No ,oc,,
late prices and to increase the sur
plus. After providing for our normal
consumption we will have together
with Canada a surplus for our allies
equal to only 60 per cent. Of the food
they require from us. II we take
broad measures Of control we can,
with as little disturbance to economic
machinery as need be furnish them
an additional 20 per cent.
Their loaf even then will be q
privation loaf and every ounce we can
put in It will diminish their privation.
The problem is capable of solution.
II, however, the whole world, allied
and neutral, Is to have the unrestrict-
ed run Of our markets in competition
with each other and in competition
with the speculator in this country,
we may expect to see IS 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 q link from
which the contemplated chain will
protect producer, legitimately distrib-
utor and consumer.
FOR instance, I am assured that.
the American farmer did not realize
$3.50 per bushel for the 1915 wheat
harvest, yet the price of wheat in
New York today Is 1926 per bushel
and flour is $14 per barrel, with all
Its attendant hardship and dislocation
or social and industrial life.
Il have no hesitation in saying that
II the able. patriotic men represent
ing the majority OF each branch of
the food trades were called in and
clothed with the necessary powers to
force the small minority of skunks
that exist In every trade, one result
would be that an equally nutritious
Hour based on even $3.50 wheat
could be sold in New York for a
good deal under SO per barrel and
every trade would receive its legiti-
mate profit. Without control we may
see $50 -four before the year is out
and a total dislocation of wages and
consequent dislocation of industry
and living.
"On the other hand, If we over
come the submarine and if we open
other markets to our allies we may
see wheat 81 bushel and flour un-
der Sc. In any event, with sufficient
control, the present price of flour can
be reduced by 40 per cent. to 80 per
cent. and at the same time the pro-
ducer treated in liberal manner.
Without any form Of control we
are likely to see an even worse situa-
tion than the high prices prevailing
resulting from the unrestrained drain
on our wheat abroad. It Is possible
that the last three months Of next
year we may be bare Of breadstuffs in
this country.
Food control does not mean bread
cards to the American people. II
means the broad conservation of our
food, the better handling by elimina-
tion OF waste and speculation. With
proper control for America the gov
ernment would ask only one thing