Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-11
WHEAT SUBSTITUTE PRICES

The federal food administration 10 taking steps to re-
duce to what appears to be q reasonable basis the prices
of the coarse grain products, the use OF which as substi-
tutes for wheat flour is required by law. Since war prices
began to prevail oat, corn, rye and barley meals and
fiours have sold at a higher price per pound than has
wheat flour, Notwithstanding the fact that the latter is
more nutritious and more convenient to use, and the fur
Their fact that while there is a shortage Of wheat there is
a superabundance Of the other grains, especially Of corn.
The conditions have given rise to a great deal Of COM
plant. IS
There has been a general disposition to cooperate
with the government, and to follow its advice and In
structions in order that there might be released for con-
sumption in Europe the wheat that is SO urgently needed
there. The regulations have been followed regardless Of
cost, but the fact that the following Of these recommen-
dations entailed increased cost when there appeared to
be no just reason for that increase has caused dissatis-
faction. The food administration has reached the con-
clusion that the prices which have been charged for
wheat substitutes are unwarranted, and has ordered that
they be discontinued. +. -.
1t is only fair to point out that there have been good
reasons for the sale of wheat substitutes at higher price.
than are warranted by their comparative food value and
the prices of the grains from which they are made. In
the manufacture Of most of the coarse meals there is
more shrinkage than in the case Of wheat flour. The
oat and barley grains, for instance, have coarse hulls
which make up a considerable part Of the weight Of the
grain, and this does not enter into the finished product.
Corn, also. has a heavy hull which must be discarded In
making the commercial grades Of meal. These facts
make necessary a wider margin between whole grain and
finished product than is the case with wheat.
Another feature of the case is that the wheat short
age has precipitated a vastly increased demand for coarse
meals, and this demand has come upon factories which
were equipped to take care only Of the usual and normal
demand. Large extensions Of plants have become neces-
saky, and in the meantime the work of production has
continued under conditions which added greatly to its
cost.
Still another factor is the custom which has become
almost universal of sending out the coarse meals in small
and expensive packages. For sanitary reasons the pack
age plan has proven satisfactory, even though the cost
were increased, because the meals were used only in
small quantities, and they could be stored more Clearly
and safely than If bought in bulk.
These are some of the factors which must be taken
into account in considering the relative prices Of coarse
meals and wheat flour. The suggestion of the food adj
ministration in the announcement which it makes is that
in addition to these other features there has been prof
iteering somewhere along the line.
AS to the remedy, we may assume that the natural
shrtnkaxe in manufacture will continue, as there is no
plants properly equipped for the most economical man
ufacture of the substitutes will presently be in operation,
so that the cost Of manufacture may be reduced by that
much. Notifications in the size and style of package to
meet the new conditions may effect a further saving. AS
to the profiteering, If there has been any, and wherever
it has been, it should be suppressed, and it should be
suppressed with such a vigorous hand that there will be
no temptation to repeat it. n