The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-09-06
PRESIDENT SETS
PRICE OF WHEAT
Minimum of 1920 a Bu-
shel Guaranteed for
Entire Crop of 1919.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.-By pro-
clamation issued today President
Wilson set $2.20 bushel as the
minimum price guaranteed by the
government for the 1919 wheat crop.
A disinterested commission, the
president stated, will be appointed
next spring to see whether the in
creased cost of farm labor and sup
plies would justify an increase above
that price.
Possibility of peace before the
middle of 1920 was indicated in a
memorandum written by the presi-
dent and accompanying the procla-
matlon as factor in determination
or the president to maintain thespre-
sent price for the 1919 crop.
IN giving a guaranteed price for
wheat one year in advance (the only
industry guaranteed by the govern
ment,) there is involved consider
able national risk" the president
said.
II there should be peace or in
creased shipping available before the
middle of 1920, Europe will natur-
ally supply itself from the large
stores of much cheaper, wheat now in
the southern hemisphere, and there
Tore, the government is undertaking
risk which might, in such an event
result in national loss of as much
as $500,000,000 thru an unsaleable
surplus; or in any event, in main
tanning high level of price to our
own people for long period subse-
quent to freedom in the worlds mar
kets.'
Salt Lake Price 1920
the proclamation fixes as reason |
able guaranteed prices for number l
northern spring wheat and it's euui-
vaients at the principal primary mar
kets the following:
New York, $2.39H; PHILADELPHIA.
$2.39; Baltimore and Newport News.
$2.38k Duluth, $2.A21s; Minnea-
polls, $2.211s; Chicago, 1925; St.
Louis, $2.24; Kansas CITY and
Omaha, $2.18; New Orleans and
Galveston, $2.28; Tacoma, Seattle.
Portland Astoria, San Francisco and
Los Angeles, 1929; Salt Lake, Great
Falls, Pocatello and Spokane 5000.
Inc presidents memorandum says:
In Issuing today the governments
guarantee of the same price for the
1918 wheat crop that was guaranteed
Tor the 1918 crop, | wish it be I'M
derstood that in the spring of 1919
will appoint a disinterested COM
mission, who will secure the facts :
by that time disclosed as to the in
creased cost of farm labor and SUM-
plies using the three-year pre-war
average prices OF wheat, of labor and
OF supply costs as a basis, and that y
from THIS information l shall deter !
mine whether there should be an in "
crease In price above the present II
level, and If so, what advance, in Ii
order to maintain for the farmer a
good return. Should it then appear "
mat an increase is deserved over the
present guarantee, it will be applied
only to those who have by next har-
vest already marketed their 1918
wheat.
To Maintain Acreage
1T is the desire and intention of
I'll departments of the administration
% give to the wheat grower a fair
md stimulative return, in order that
he present acreage in wheat may be
Il find a great conflict of opinion
'mong various sections of the coun-
ny as to the price that should be
amed as minimum guarantee. It
aust be obvious to all, however.
nat the factors which will make for
increased or decreased cost of pro-
ucton of next years harvest can
OF be determined until the near an
roach to the harvest.
In giving a guaranteed price for
heat one year in advance (the only
ldustry guaranteed by the govern
lent,) there is involved consider
Die national risk. If there should
3 peace or increased shipping avail
ole before the middle of 1920.
urope will naturally supply itself
ON the large stores of much
reaper wheat no win the southern
and, therefore, the gov
'nment is undertaking risk which
lght IN such an event result in a
ltlonal loss of as much as $500
'0,oO0 thru an unsuitable surplus:
In any event in maintaining a high
vel OF price to our own people for
long period subsequent to freedom
the wrld's markets.
Guarantee Desirable
Despite this, the desirability of
surfing supply to the world of
lme breadstuffs by insuring the
rmer against the fluctuations in
Ices that would result from the
certainties of the present situa-
N and from the speculation those
certainties entail, seems to me to
Ike the continuation of the guaran-
IN for another year desirable. On
other hand, it is clear that before
'reasing this liability by large
ms, with the risks set forth above
before increasing the burden of
consumer the matter should be
olected to searching inquiry at the
propriate time-the time when the
'tlnent facts will be known.
Il feel confident that with this nre-
linary fixed guarantee, and with
assurance that justice will in anv
mt be done to the grower, he will
ltlnue the fine patriotic effort bv
ich he has served the country
a t hat |