American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-10-29
HIGHER PRICE FOR
1918 WHEAT CROP
URGED IN REPORT
advice of Only Committee Farm
ers Have at Capital Was
Disregarded.

Chicago. nl.-SOme very startling
facts are certain to develop as the re-
suit Of a resolution offered in the
House Of Representatives by Congress
NAL Anderson, Republican, of Mime
sofa, calling for an investigation OF
the report that, early in August, the
Agricultural Advisory Committee ap-
pointed to investigate the cost of pro
ducing wheat and to recommend a
guaranteed price for the 1919 harvest,
recommended S2.46 as a minimum
price to be guaranteed for 1919 wheat.
The report and recommendation,
when brought to light, will disclose the
following facts: After four days ses-
sion and hearings, the Agricultural al
visory Committee. with seventeen OF
~twenty-four members present, by the
unanimous vote Of those present, passed
the following resolution to be trans
mltted to the Secretary Of Agriculture
Resolved, That it is the sense OF
this Committee that a minimum price
of s2.46 per bushel for No. l Northern
Spring Wheat, or its equivalent, based
on Chicago delivery, be fixed for the
1919 wheat crop"
Need Of Higher Prices.
In support of its report the commit
tee said while il believed the price OF
s 22O per bushel as guaranteed for the
1918 wheat crop was, under all cir
cumstances, reasonable, that 1t felt
sure that
1.-THE wheat r of 1919 cannot be
produced on the same basis of cost
for the following reasons: The addl-
tiona cost of commercial fertilizers
and clover seed, which are necessary
to many sections in the successful
growing of wheat the increased cost OF
farm machinery the increased cost OF
accessories and repairs the increased
cost of fuel and ~lubricating oils FOL
the tractor engines used In preparing
much of the land the increased cos
of skilled labor used In running sucf
machines: the increased and increas
ing cost of all common labor, both be
cause of higher wages due to lesseneC
supply and of rapidly diminishing Ell
hciency; the increased O
labor for improved living conditions
which must be met by the building o
houses for the occupancy Of married
men. hey being the only class nov
available in any substantial numpe
for farm work"
The report further stated that Of
the basis of S2.4e wheat the cost o
-four would be increased only one DO
lar per barrel over the cost of flour o.
the basis of 1920 wheat, and that tn
average yearly consumption of Hour l
less tina one barrel per capitf
"Surely." says the report, zone dOlla
per annum cannot be regarded as a
unreasonable advance in the cost G
living. considering the level of wage
already reached under war cond
lions"
No Profit Allowed Farmers.
Although this was the official recon
mendation of the committee, intorma
" it stated that in recommending So
as the guaranteed price for 1915 whei
they named the minimum that tn
price does not include cost of tertill
ers that it allows only 9 per cent. i
crease for labor and machinery, wher
as the has allowed 20 p'
rent for these items in liking prize
In other industries and that, final
II allows the farmer no percentage
profit at all.
OF all the multitude Of commission
and committees handling war acti'
ties at our national capital his col
mittee is the only representation q
Northern farmer has. That this re
ommendation, reached after a caref
inquiry, should have been utterly
nored is sure to call for cO%nsiderat
explanation especially in view
the tender sOlicitude shown the colt
planter who is making nearly 200 r
cent. profit on the basis of his prese
prices which the administration
fuses to regulate.
nEnIlDI INAMC nEMhMn AIfnl