Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-13

|EDuCE USE OF WHEAT
Han to Limit Sales of Flour From
Mills to Cut Con-
sumption
WAsHINGrnN reh 1a

a The food situation In the United States
:, y reaching desperate stage which de-
U&nds early consideration OF food con-
14tration legislation. and unless prompt
action Is taken restrictions upon the CON
sumption Of food will be much more
drastic in the future than people Of
America realize at this time.
That Is the opinion of Represent tive
Sydney Anderson, Republican, of Min
nesota. member OF the House Committee
on Agriculture. after listening to tes-
tl'nony In secret session presented to the
committee by Herbert G. Hoover. food
administrator.
The food situation is much more s.ri.
ol1a than Is generally supposed" said
Mr.. Anderson. EARLY In November rep
rescntatives of the allied countries met
4 and agreed upon the contributions Of
the different countries to the allied food
: pool. including the expected contributions
from South America and other neu,rals."
REDUCE UsH OF WHEAT
Mr.. Anderson said that while he could
not give the percent iges agreed upon,
America in the last two months had
fallen short OF her contribution to the Al
lies. and that the neutral countries had
reduced their shipments because Of
various difficulties. largely In connection
with ocean transportation.
II Is estimated that in order TO APP
proach the imperative requirements Of
the Allies II will be necessary to re-
duce the consumption of wheat In this
country approximately 80 per cert. The
Committee on Agriculture is now con-
sIderlng methods by which this re,luc-
tion shall be accomplished a system
OF rationing has been suggested. but this
Is considered inadvisabie
"The bill now before our committee
affords no legal authority for such a
fchemc. The food administration thus
Z far has proceeded on the theory that
an adequate response TO any reasonable
request could be obtained from 30 per
cent of our people, and that 1t is
therefore desirable. 80 far as possible.
to get results by voluntary action"
WILL LIMIT SALES
Mr.. Anderson said that the 80 per
cent reduction will require the prac-
fical substitution Of so per cent OF other
cereals for wheat and rye. which IL Is
proposed to accomplish by having mills
reduce their shipments to customers.
The same reduction In salcs and ship
ments on the part OF wholesalers to re-
tallers Is required
adequate means of reducing their sales, -
said Mr.. Anderson. they will require
the purchase o. an equal amount of &C.
reals with every pound Of wheat or rye
-four purchased by q customer. the effect
OF this order being substantially to make
the same reduction of 80 per cent from
retailers to consumers.
'sThe food administration recognizes
that universal application of "A rigid
order OF this sort results in many cases
Of individual injustice. but these excep-
tions could only be determined by put
ting the order into effect and will be
rernedied by exceptions and modifca-
tions as fast as the injustice becomes
apparent"
1t is understood that the food con-
servation bill is nearing completion in
the Agricultural Committee. and that
II vii ibe reported to the House late this
week.