Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-06-04
Flour Is Necessary if
America Is to Win War


Recent press dispatches widely
circulated through the country have
given the wholly wrong impression
that there is no longer need for Wig
orous conservation of wheat and
-four. The Food Administration de-
clares that every aspect of the wheat
situation, both present and prospec-
tive, intensifies the need for the
greatest possible limitation in the
American consumption of wheat and
wheat products. If the present re-
strictions should he in the slightest
degree relaxed, it would result in Sc
rious want for the people of Europe
before the new crop can reach the
market.
The Food Administration esti-
mate of the position on the first of
June indicates a total available sup
ply until the new harvest. including
the grain which will be available
from the farms in the country and
terminal elevators and mill elevators
Of about 56,000,000 bushels. OF this
10000. 900 bushels must be exported
before new wheat is available for
export. if we are to maintain the
absolutely necessary shipments to
our Army and the Allies. That leaves
about 26.000000 bushels for domes-
tic consumption for the next two
months.
Normal American consumption is
something over 10000. 900 bushels a
month. so that the most liberal con-
sumption at home would he only
one-third of normal.
In addition to the wheat on the
farms and in elevators. there is al
ways an indeterminate further
amount in transit and in dealers
hands. and this can never be reck-
oned in with the flour available for
use for export and use at home. AS
= matter of fact. this stock is not
actually available, since these sup
niles must remain constantly in flow;
hey remain a permanent stock. the
removal OF which would later cause
a period OF acute shortage in dis
trihution before new wheat would be
available.
There is further an inclination to
in-iude new prospects with present
coalitions. which has led to con-
fusion. The harvest will not be gen.
orally available in -four until the
m idle of August or early Septem-
her. although In the extreme south
1t vill be somewhat earlier.
NJ a meeting of the Federal Food
Administrations. in Washington. yes
terdae. representing forty-eight
states. it was the unanimous view
that, eS>sn If the harvest does prove
abundant. it will be the first duty OF
the American people to place every
grain they can save into storage as
against possible bad years ahead. In
consequences, there should be no an
ticipation of unlimited wheat bread
until the war is over.
Some of the most inconvenient re-
strictions can, no doubt. he modi-
fed with the arrival of a large har-
vest but, if we are honest with our
selves we will maintain restrictions
requiring the use of some substi-
tutes. both domestic and commercial;
we will continue the requirement of
high milling extraction and the elm
ination of the non-essential use of
and waste in -four and bread.
IT is worth remembering that the
famine in Egypt eight thousand
years ago was saved by little gov
ernmental foresight, and it does not
require any Illuminating dream to
anticipate that, so long as the war
lasts. with its increasing drafts for
soldiers and munition workers, the
world will steadily produce less food.
II we are wise. great harvest will
mean the willing building up of
great national reserves.