The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-06-14
The Actual Wheat Situation.


circulated through the country have
given the wholly false impression
that there is no longer need for
rigorous conservation of wheat and
-four. The food administration de-
clares that every aspect of the wheat
situation both present and prospec-
tive intensifies the need for the
greatest possible limitation in the
American consumption of wheat and
wheat products. If present restric-
tions should be in the slightest de-
gree relaxed it would result in
serious want for the people of
reach the market.
The Food Administrations esti-
mate of the position on the first of
June indicates a total available sup
ply until the new harvest, including
the grain which will be available
from the farms in country and
terminal elevators and mill eleva-
tors of about 56,00O,0O0 bushels.
OF this 100000 bushels must be
exported before new wheat is avail
able for export, if we are to maintain
the absolutely necessary shipments
to our Army and the Allies. That
leaves about 26,OOO,OOO bushels for
domestic consumption for the next
two months.
Normal American consumption is
something over 100000 bushels
a month so that the most liberal
consumption at home would be only
one-third of normal
In addition to the wheat on the
farms and in elevators there is al
ways an indeterminate further
amount in transit and in dealers
hands and this can never De reckon
ed in with the flour available for
use for export and use at home. AS
a matter of fact this stock is not
actually available since these sup
plies must remain constantly in flow;
they remain permanent stock the
removal of which would later cause
period of acute shortage in distri-
button before new wheat would be
available.
There is further an inclination to
include new crop prospects with
present conditions which has led to
confusion. The harvest will not
be generally available in flour until
middle August or early September,
although in the extreme south it
will be somewhat earlier.
At meeting of the Federal Food
Administrators in Washington June
5, representing all forty-eight States,
it was the unanimous view that
even if the harvest does prove
abundant it will be the first duty Of
the American people to place every
grain they can save into storage as
against possible bad years ahead.
In consequence there should be no
anticipation of unlimited wheat
bread until the war is over.
Some of the most inconvenient
restrictions can no doubt be modi-
fed with the arrival of large har-
vest, but if we are honest with our
selves We will maintain restrictions
requiring the use of some substitutes
both domestic and CONNER cIal; we
will continue the requirement of
high milling extraction and the
elimination of the non-essential use
of and waste in Hour and bread.
1t is worth remembering that the
famine in Egypt eight thousand
years ago was saved by little gov
ernmental foresight and it does not
require any Illuminating dream to
anticipate that SO long as the wal
lasts with it's increasing drafts for
soldiers and munition workers the
world will steadily produce less
food. If We are wise a great har-
vest will mean the willing building
up of great National reserves.
HERBERT HOOVER.