The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-24

sues are involved. How far the In
creased milling should be pressed and
how rapidly are important questions
to be considered. Such action as the
results of further inquiry may deter
mine should be promptly taken.
Some of the European nations have
secured a considerable addition to the
food supply either by reducing the
production of malt liquors or by re-
ducing or prohibiting the production
of distilled liquors. It has been
roughly estimated that the value of
food materials entering into the man
ufacture Of alcoholic beverages in this
country in one year, on the basis OF
prices lower than those now prevail
ing, is approximately ,s145, 100000.
ca Immediate enlargement Of the
depa rtment's forces dealing with the
conservation Of perishables on farms
and elsewhere to prevent losses of
useful food crops which occur
through insufficient supplies of cans
and containers to meet the require
ments.
CD Safeguarding Of seed stocks for
1918 in case untoward climatic or
other. conditions affecting important
crops make such action necessary in
restricted regions. Il would be I'M
practicable to undertake to supply
seed in nationwide way for all or
any Of the great staple crops. The
most that could be done in any event
through government agencies would
be to supply seed in restricted areas
where serious emergencies have pre-
sented themselves If the Congress
should provide an emergency fund,
the secretary should be authorized to
furnish, in a limited way, relief as
indicated, and, if deemed advisable,
to take steps to locate, secure and
store for next year good seed for at
least a portion of certain staple crops.
Such seed would no be furnished free
but at cost, and any funds expended
for this purpose would, in large part,
be returned to the Treasury.
Distribution
The plans outlined involve prob
lens of food production only. No
less important than increased produc-
ton is the establishment of satisfac-
tory and efficient arrangements for
distribution. The producer of food
stuffs is entitled to assurances that
the channels Of distribution vi III be
open and that free, competitive,
and unmanipUated market will exist,
and the uneconomic speculation will
be either controlled or prevented. To
meet this situation the Department
Of Agriculture should be given the
following authority and power:
Cd To make a complete survey Of
the food supply Of the nation, with
a view to secure full information as
to its location, ownership. and where
it is needed, and complete knowledge
as to the instrumentalities and agen-
cies that own, control, manufacture,
and distribute food products.
CD After investigation, and in CO.
operation with the trade interests in
vo1ved, to establish market grades
and classes of farm products, includ-
ing seeds, and standards for recep-
tac1es for such products, together
gree of supervision of their applica-
ton through such inspection service
as may be necessary.
go To license and supervise the
operation Of all plants, mills, pack
ing houses, canneries, slaughter
houses, breweries, distilleries, storage
houses, or other establishments or
factories in which food or feeds, ag-
ricultura1 implements and machinery
and materials therefor, fertilizers, in
secdcides, fungicides, serums, tox-
ms, viruses, and any other articles re-
quired for agricultural purposes are
prepared, manufactured, or kept for
sale or distribution. This power
should include authority to make rules
and regulations governing the use
and operation Of them whenever such
course may be necessary in the pub
lie interest.
ca To require the preference
movement by the common carriers Of
the United States of seeds, fertilizers.
insecticides, fungicides, and farm i'm
plements or machinery, or the ma
terials required in their manufacture.
CD To enlarge the existing tele-
graphic market news service of the
department, which now covers live
stock and meats and certain foods,
vegetables and other perishables, in
order to assist, by securing compre-
hensive information according to the
proportionate requirements of the
consuming centers. Enlargement of
this service Wuld also tend to pre-
vent undue shortage in any consun-
ing center and provide against wastes
due to temporary oversupply OF per-
1S1ldUlGS Ill pdT
The service would further assist in
securing direct routings and thereby
relieve, to some extent at least, con-
gestion Of transportation lines. It
would also directly aid farmers by fur
nishing Information which would put
them on an equality with buyers and
enable them to consign unsold prod
ucts to points where there is the
greatest need for them.
co In case Of extreme emergency,
the government should have power to
purchase, store and subsequently, dis
pose Of food products to groups Of
pjeople or communities organized in
some form, and to fix maximum or
minimum prices. Perhaps the exer-
else of this power should be lodged
in the Council of National Defense, to
be used only when directed by the
President. It is possible that the mere
| existence Of the power would xaake
action unnecessary. The government
should have, full discretion in the
matter. 1t might be wise to fix a
minimum price to producers for only
one important commodity, just as it
to fix a maximum price which con-
sumers might be expected to pay Tor
only one or several products
90 I greatly need one, possibly
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