Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-28
SENATE APPROVES
$3.50 WHEAT PRICE
Guaranteed Prices for 1918 Crop
Based Upon Number 2,
Northern Wheat.
GUARANTY Is BINDING.
Docs Not Depend on Presidcnt's Action
some Doubt as to Whether House
Will Agree to sennte's Action.

washington, March 21.-Increase in the
government guaranteed price of wheat
from ~ to $3.50 a bushel was approved
py the Senate to-day. An amendment to
the agricultural appropriation bill Of
Tered by Senator Gore of Oklahoma pro-
viding for the higher guarantee was
adopted The vote was 40 to 49,
The wheat price amendment, was adopt-
ed AZ to 10 after five days discussion in
which its advocates urged the necessity
of stimulating production and criticised
government price fixing. The bill carry
ing appropriations of SIS, 900 900 was passed
without a roll call. the principal fight be-
ing conferred on the wheat provision.
Besides increasing the financial guaran-
tee. the Gore amendment also pro, ides
that the guaranteed price for the 1913 crop
shall be based upon number two northern
wheat or its equivalent instead of the
number one variety, as under existing
law and shall be payable at local eleva-
tors or railway markets instead of at the
principal primary markets as Is done now.
These provisions are designed to further
increase the farmers returns.
Another provision is that the guaranty
shall not be dependent upon action of the
President but "is hereby made absolutely
and binding until May /. 1919"
Acceptance of the amendment by the
House is hoped for by its champions. But
despite the overwhelming vote by which
the Senate wrote the price increase into
the BILL administration leaders do not be-
lieve 1t could prevail finally II. as has
been reported, the opposition Of the food
administration would cause a presidential
veto.
Under a proclamation by the President
ott,,
now stands with the 50 guarantee, the
basic price for 1918 wheat has been estab
lished at 1920 per bushel Senators favor
ing the increase argued that wheat at $3.50
would not increase the price of flour
beyond s13 or $3.50 per barrel. The price
now is around $11 a barrel
Senator Gore did not press his amend
ment providing for establishment by the
secretary of agriculture of uniform book
keeping methods for meat packers and
subsection Of the packers books to Off
cial scrutiny.
The Senate struck out by vote Of
Al to %. provision in the bill as it passed
the House, requiring department Of agri-
culture employees in Washington to work
eight instead of seven hours daily.
An appropriation of $4,000 for the con-
gressional free seed distribution, which
had been eliminated by the Senate agri-
culture committee was reported by the
Senate.
Appropriations of about million dol
lars were added to the bill in the Senate,
including $25O,0OO to be offered as prizes
by the secretary of agriculture to stimu-
late agricultural production and $3.50, 900
for extension of work in dehydrating
vegetables and fruits.
Other principal appropriations carried
In the bill include: Meat inspection serv-
Ice A,0Ol.O0O Increased $3OO,OOO by the
Senate); determination of southern cattle
ticks $4,000; eradication of livestock
tuberculosis $4,000 doubled by the
Senate; plant industry s2,744,0 900; forestry
$5,73l,OOO bureau of markets $1,000 900;
combating Of livestock foot and mouth
disease slO0O,0OO and combating the cot
ton boil weevl 100000.