The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-22
nation FACES
FOOD CRISIS,
SAYS HOOVER
Next Two Months Will Be Most
CriticaI-RaiIWay Conges-
ton Blamed.
U. S. MUST AID THE ALLIES
Country Is Far Behind in Its Program
Of Sending Supplies Overseas
Food Administration Asks
People to Help.

Washington, Feb. 22-The next two
with regard to food that the United
States has faced since she entered the
war.
This was the statement Of Herbert
Hoover, United States food administra-
tor. Earnest cooperation is called for.
The statement reads:
"In response to many inquiries beg
to say it is true that since the first OF
December we have fallen far behind
our agreed food program with the al
lies. By the end of February we will
be short 45,OOO,OOO bushels in cereal
products which we undertook as our
share of their supplies. We also Will
be short of the amount of meat prod
ucts that we were to deliver.
"This deficiency is due solely to the
railway congestion since that date.
Face Critical Stage.
"The next sixty days will be the
most critical period in our food his
tory. The simple fact is that the pro-
gram goes far deeper than supplies to
the allies.
During the last three months we
have fallen far behind in movement Of
foodstuffs from the farms to the con-
suming and storage centers. Up to the
first of February less than 80 per cent
of the normal ratio Of corn has been
moved, less than 80 per cent of the
oats and less than go per cent OF the
potatoes.
1--WE had about 10000 carloads of
potatoes November that should have
been moved from the producing CEN
ters, and up to the first of February
we had moved about $4,000 carloads.
We should have moved over $4,000 in
this period. The result Is that pota-
toes are spelling in the producers
hands,
Transportation to Blame.
'"There is a great deal of live stock
which has been ready for the market
for some time, but is still held in the
farmers hands through inability to OBJ
tain transportation.
"The effect of this delayed move
ment has been manifold:
"First-To jeopardize the safety Of
great deal of the soft corn and per-
ishables, such as potatoes.
"Second-The structure in flow of
distribution has disturbed the price
conditions in the country by practical
ly suspending the law of supply and
demand.
"Third-The cost of grains for feed
ing live stock has so increased to the
feedsr of finished cattle that they face
serious losses. The costs Of the, dairy
ing industries have necessarily great
ly increased.
"Fourth-Through the large consum-
ing areas we have been living on re-
serves through the period Of scant sup
plies These reserves are approach
ing exhaustion.
"F1fth-We have been unable to
transport to seaboard the necessary
foodstuffs for the allies.
Public Must Give Aid.
Grafton of the public-through the
quick loading of cars, loading them to
capacity, and discharging them quick
ly-and in every way reducing the tax
on the railways.
"Co-operation can be given by reduc-
ton In consumption of foodstuffs, by
the consumption of home and local
stores to the exclusion Of transported
articles.
"No effort is being spared to move
anied food, and the railway director
ate Is arranging special trains to carry
meat and packing-house products from
Chicago to load the waiting ships.
"HERBERT HOOVER"