The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-27

winch optdtheo nearing before
the price fixing committee in
Washington, the price Of wheat
when fixed by that committee will
be "$2 or morc.n
The delegation returned today
g and was favorabiy Impressed with
the delegation given by Chairman
Garfield. They were the only com.
rnittee given a hearing.
u i.t-.g55' f II !. ---.------r--------- -.--------
Northwest farmers are becoming
discouraged. They feel there will be
dimcrimination. They consider less
than SO for wheat an outrage. Many
are laying plains to decrease acreage.
Eleven counties report need of out
side assistance. TWenty.six counties
must buy feed. Give our farmers a
chance to live. Immediate action
necessary to hold production to nor
NAL"
This message from Commissioner of
Agriculture and Labor Hagan, and
which fairly accurately reflects the
conditions and sentiments obtaining in
North Dakota as a whole, is in the
hands of Food Administrator Herbert
G. Hoover today S
Expect Action Today
Advices from Washington are that
the price fixing committee may arrive
at decision today, establishing a
price of not less than 81 nor more
than SO, as the minimum, and that a
report will be ready by Wednesday.
The general impression is that the
minimum will be somewhere around
$3.50. This would let the valley farm.
er out, with his bounteous crops, but
would not enable the average Slope
wheat grower to nlucn more than
break even, while in wnny cases it
viii not represent the cost of the
grain, harvested and delivered to the
local elevator.
Will Get Good Price.
1t was announced at Washington
last night that while it was not ex-
pected that the farmers of the north
west would receive the So price tor
their No. 1 northern wheat which
they state is fair return for their
la HOr. risk and investment, that the
prospects are that better price than
was at first suggested will be secureI,
The members OF the North Dakota
delegation have take a method that
is apparently new to The Washington
officials. var y =
When they first went there they
we're told thai they must go at the
matter in a quiet and dignified man.
ner, that they must present their argu'
ments to the proper parties and then
quietly await their decisions. The Op-
pOsite plan was used however, and it
seems apparently with success. Large
advertisements were placed in the
daily papers that the people might
know the conditions as they existed
in the western states, and the situa-
ton that is faced by the grain grow
ers if they do not get fair price
for their products.
- Must Keep Agreement.
The fact that the government en-.
tered into an agreement with the
farmers of the northwest in which
they were promised fair price and
even a liberal price for their grain
this fall is impressed upon the people
and the members of the price fixing
committee. 1t is also pointed out that
it will be with great difficulty that a
large acreage will be planted in the
spring of 1918 if a good price is not
naid for the 1917 crop. 1t is shown
that it will be a financial impOssibility
for the farmers to respond to the call
of the nation for food If they cannot
get the money out of the present crop
Hoover States His Duty.
"My duty is simply to see," said Mr..
Hoover. that the farmer receives
fair price. whatever that may be, and
to see that the consumer obtains his
bread without the speculative profits
in between the farmer and the con-
sumer. l assume that the farmer no
more wants to bleed the consumer by
more than fair price. than
he wants to be bled by the producers
of food and other commodities who
also are being asked TO maintain fair
prices" ~5
0UQWSv WORE uoU pGs
The Garfield committee, it is under
stood, will be ready to recommend a |
price by the middle of the week.
Rumor puts sthis price at slightly more
than 81. . g
In statement issued today. Mr..
Hoover denied that there is any foun.
dation for a Statement that the food
has any intention to flx
prices of beef or pork products.
1.-The administration hopes to devel'
90 by discussion with representative
committees of the hog producers, the
cattle producers, the commission men
and the packers, the statement says
greater stabilization OF the industry
during the war and in such a way
as to encourage production and elm
mate speculative profits and risks Ac'
ion will be taken only after mature
Urges So Minimum.
A government fixed minimum price
Of So a bushel for No. l northern
wheat. other grades to be priced on
not exceeding four cents
,ushel, is urged in resolution adopt
ID by representatives of the farmers
Continued on Page Three.)