The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-05-10
MAY REQUISITIOy WHEAT
But Farmers Can Retain Enough
For Seeding Purposes.

By authority Of County Food Adj
mnistrator r. W. Neil, Ernest
Reiniger, Ratbdrum food admins,
traitor, requests the publication OF the
following letter from r +. Bicknell,
federal food administrator for the
state of Idaho:
To All County Food Administrators:
With the completion OF the wheat,
-four ann sugar survey in your county
you should now have record of all
wheat held On the farms in your
county.
All wheat that Is held on farms IN
the state of Idaho In excess of what
is necessary for home use will be
requisitioned, II needed by our gov
ernment,. after May the 18Th, III
accordance with directions received
from Her trt Hoover, United States
Food Administrator. Pursuant to MIR.
Hoover's request, call has already been
made upon the farmers of Idaho that they
bring to market by May 18th all wheat in
their possession except such as it is neces-
sary they retain for seeding purposes.
While much of the surplus wheat on our
farms has already been marketed, consider
able quantities are still being held by farm
ers in certain sections OF this state. Pro-
German motives have accounted for the
holding of some of this wheat, while other
holders have been actuated by the desire
and expectation Of receiving higher price.
Since any higher price that might be estab-
lished hereafter by act OF congress would
not affect present holdings. no grower can
benefit financially by holding his grain
beyond May 18th. Only detriment 10 the
governments imminent reeds can result
from the holding of grain beyond May 10Th
and no benefit can accrue to the holder so
that wheat held beyond the date named will
be considered boarded and there will be
presumption Of disloyal motives concerning
the hoarders.
You are hereby directed to issue calls
upon all wheat producers that as patriotic
service they bring to market by May 10Th al
surplus wheat. Where local millers are
unable to buy all the wheat that is offered
for sale 1t should be marketed through other
customary channels through which it will
reach the food administration, grain corpor-
alton.
AS county food administrator YOU are
10 gather just as complete data as
possible showing all surplus wheat stocks
held in your county and to report to this
office on May 18th, disclosing the names of
the owners thereof, their addresses and ap-
proximate quantities in their possession.
After May 18th surplus stocks that are
boarded for unpatriotic motives will be
requistioned under executive order as pro-
vided In section 10 OF the food control act.
Mr. Hoover, U. s. food administrator, has
given me as federal food administrator of
The state of Idaho special power Of attorney
TO take possession of such wheat.
There is great need for wheat for the use !
)f the army and navy and for other public
Uses connected with the common defense so
that no one has either moral or legal right |
TO hoard wheat Power to requisition such
wheat is expressly authorized under the food i
act
While 1t Is hoped and expected that the |
necessity for requisitioning will arise in but |
rev, II any, cases. such action will be taken |
against any hoarders in this state who from .
lnpatriotic motives refuse to comply with
his request to market all surplus wheat by
Nay 18th.