The Robesonian., 1918-06-20
PROBLEMS AND ACTIVITIES
OF FOOD ADMINISTRATION
But For Work of Food Administra
ton Allies Long Since Would
Have Been Forced to Accent
A German Peace.


tically every county in North Caro-
lima met here today with State Food
Administrator Henry A. Page and his
staff for two days session during
which the problems and activities of
the Food Administration are being
discussed in detail. The convention
is typical and representative body
of patriotic men and women, who,
without any remuneration, are giving
their best thought and a great deal
of their time to war activity which
is just as necessary as the manufac-
ture of arms and ammunition and the !
building of ships.
Getting Results.
Mr.. Page declared to the county
food administrators present that but
for their activities and the activities |
of the food administration generally
the Allies would have been forced long
ago to accept a German peace with
all that German-dictated peace terms
mean. Not only has the activities of
the food administration enabled Eng
land, France and Italy to continue to !
fight, but it has accomplished won
ders in this country. the effects of
which have been to uphold and sustain
the splendid morale of the American
people.
Giving specific instances of what
the food administration has accom-
plished during the ten months it has
been in the field, Mr.. Page stated
that through its activities more than
| 100000 900 bushels of wheat had been
exported to the Allies instead of the
| 2O,000,0O0 bushels which would have
been the estimated export surplus un-
der normal conditions.
AS much as S7,OO0,O0O pounds of
beef has been exported in one month
as compared with the ordinary ex-
port rate Of one to two million pounds
monthly. In one month 30S 100000
pounds Of pork has been exported as
compared with the ordinary rate of
5O,OO0,0O0 pounds per month.
Striking Figures.
The average spread between the
cost Of wheat from the producer and
the cost of flour to the consumer for
the five-year period preceding 1915
was 1925 per barrel In 1916 the
average spread was $500 per barrel.
Since the food administration has en-
tered the field the spread has ranged
from $1.75 to S1.10 per bushel.
In a wide range of staple food CON-
nodities, including wheat flour, corn
meal, some classes of meat, ETC., there
has been an average increase in price
to the producer of Is per cent to II
per cent and at the same time de-
crease in price of the product to the
consumer of Is per cent to 20 pei
cent, the decrease in the "spread" he.
ing more than SO per cent.
More than $3.50, 900 is account
ed for in the increase Of prices to the
producers and the decrease cf price:
to consumers as result Of food ad
ministraticn activities during pc
riod Of eight months preceding re
cent meeting of State food admins
traitors at Washington.
The results indicated by these fig
ures have been brought about through
the elimination Of unnecessary trans
actions between middlemen an;
through the elimination of specula
tion and other injurious trade prac
tees.
North Carolina Well in Forefront.
! According to the Washington offic,
Carolina is well in the forefront O
those States which have most salts
factorily accomplished results in foot
administration work North Carolin;
producers, dealers and Consumers have
co-operated with the food admins
tration to a degree and spirit tha
has been gratifying to food admins
tration officials. Comparatively few
penalties have been inflicted and th
fewer that are necessary the bette:
will the food administration be pleas
ed, according to Mr.. Page.
A few States have attempted NOR
spectacular methods than have bee1
attempted in North Carolina, but oh
servation has led to the conclusion
that they have net been more produc
tive than the straightforward common
sense plan that has been uniforml,
pursued in North Carolina. In Texa
and Mississippi, for instance, Stat
food administrators declared an EN-
barge on flour and were laughed a
because Of the recognized unconsti
tutionality Of such an order, even b.
Congress itself. In North Carolina
| Mr.. Page has requested dealers no
to import further flour from outsid
this State and his request is being uni
formly supported by the dealer
throughout the State.
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