New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16
Houston Urges
Farmers of East
To Plant Wheat
Utilize Every Available
Acre This Fall, Says Sec
rotary at Conference


WASHINGTON, Aug. i5.-Secretsry
Houston to-day urged leading agri-
culturalists of the Eastern States
gathered here for the first of series
of greater production" conferences
to plant every available acre TO winter
wheat this fall. 1--WE must ave wheat
far in excess of our normal needs next
year." declared Secretary Houston.
THE response of all our agricultural
agencies since this country entered the
war has been tremendously gratifying"
he continued.
"The farmers have done their part
with enthusiasm and patriotism and,
for the most part, they were favored
by nature. The result is, as you know,
that In a number Of important crops
the nation will have this year enormous
yields.
But, from a military standpoint, We
were unfortunate in respect to the
very crop of which we have the most
immediate and pressing need. Whit
bread seems to be peculiarly the war
bread, due to its own special character
lstics as we'll as to the habits of
European nations with whom We are
associated in this war. 1t was not the
farmers fault that we did not have a
large wheat crop. A large acreage was
planted, but there was a tremendous
winter killing; and so we have the very
short crop of last year followed by a
short crop this year.
supply Must Exceed Normal NEEDY
ut is highly essential that We omit
no step to secure a production OF
wheat during the next year which will
be greatly in excess of the normal
needs of this nation. My own convie-
ton is that, whether We have peace or
war, this nation is going to be called
upon for some time to come to feed a
considerable part Of the population Of
Europe and TO furnish IT with agrl-
cultural supplies and equipment
"A continent going through what
Europe has gone through for the last
three years. and is continuing TO go
through, does not quickly get on its
feet. The loss of human life, the i'm
pairment of many Of those who sur
vive, the destruction of work animals,
the waste of farm equipment, the i'm
pairment and disorganizatiOn of labor,
the disruption of the normal processes
of agriculture all these things entail
heavy burdens and hardicsps, and It -
going TO take Europe considerable
period to get where she was before this
war came on.
81 speak of this because there may
he doubts in the minds of farmers as
20 whether they will take too great risk
in planting a large wheat acreage next
year. | think we might agree that the
economic conditions will be such as TO
assure wheat producers normal and
profitable return. We should bear in
mind also that in the food control bill
this compensation matter has been
dealt with by Congress.
Intention of Congress Clear
"The intention OF Congress Is reason
ABLY clear. II seems that II intended
that the wheat grower shall have a
guarantee of at least 81 bushel. But
il is difficult 10 interpret Section IA. II
starts out very vsliaRtly. leaving IL to
the President TO determine whether
there is an emergency which may re-
ouire the stimulation Of the production
OF wheat and authorizing him 10 take
stems in case he determines that there
is such an emergency TO assure the
farmers Of a reasonable price, OF a
guaranteed minimum authorizing him
To make rules and regulations.
"Ther Congress inserted the state
m.nt that the guarantee shall not be
9spendent on the sction Of the Pr.si-
dent but shall be shSolute. ! do not
know lust what that means. IL does
not make II the duty Of anybody 70
carry cut this thought. IL Is not de-
csrdent on the action Of the President.
I, docs not gay on whom II is depsn-
d.,t Nor does II state what the price
.,c.,t that Il shall not be less than
20 But. taking the language as .
yh,l, IL was clearly the intention OF
carrrsss that there should be Tor the
Iais rrop guaranteed price OF not
- ,han az o bushel. am not pre-
80 20 sneak for the Food Admins
rs,or who is to deal with this section,
"a doubtless there will be fortheom-
lng a clear statement or MS eoheiu-
sion, AZ the proper time. -,
III, l. important, as ! nave sald
that ve have an abundant supply oI
tba.t "a gatisfy our own needs and
fs,,e oart OF the need OF Europe