Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-06-06
TELEGRAM
Fa Washington, D. c., May 80, 10.
Prescott Food ADM, Lansing, Mich,

Prescott Food Adm, Lansing, Mich.
Recent press dispatches widely cir
culated through the country have siver
the wholly false impression that there
is no longer need for rigorous conser
vation of wheat and flour. The food
administration declares that every as
pect Of the wheat situation both pres
ent and prospective intensfies the
need for the greatest possible limita.
ton in the American consumption OF
wheat and wheat products. II present
restrictions should be In the slightest
degree relaxed IL would result in ser
ious want for the people Of Europe
before the new crop can reach the mar.
ket.
The fod administration estimate Of
the position on the first Of June indi-
cate total available supply until the
new harvest, including the grain which
will be available from the farm in
country and terminal elevators and
mill elevators, Of about fifty-six million
bushels. OF this thirty million BUSH
els must be exported before new wheat
is available for export if we are to
maintain the absolute necessary ship
ments to our army and the allies. That
leaves about twenty-six million bushels
for domestic consumption for the next
two months.
North American consumption is some
thing over forty million bushels a
month SO that most liberal consump-
ton at home would be only one-third
Of normal.
In addition to the wheat on the farms
and in elevators there is always an
indeterminate further amount in tran.
sit and in dealers hands and this can
never be reckoned In with the flour
available for use for export and use at
home. AS a matter Of fact this stock
is not actually available since these
supplies must remain constantly In
flow; they remain permanent stock
the removal Of which would later
cause period Of acute shortage In dis
trbution before new wheat would be
available.
There is further an inclination to in.
clude new crop prospects with present
condition which have led to confusion.
The harvest will not be generally avail.
able in flour In middle August or early
September, although In the extreme
south Il would be somewhat earlier.
At meeting OF the federal food ad.
ministration in Washington yesterday
representing from forty-elght states II :
"a nj 4
the harvest does prove abundant IL |
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 consequence |
there should be no anticipation Of un.
limited wheat until the war is over.
Some Of the most inconvenlent re-
striction can no doubt be modified with
the arrival Of large harvest but II
we are honest with ourselves we will
maintain restrictions requiring the use
Of some substitutes both domestic and
commercial; we will continue the re.
quircments Of high milling extraction
and the elimination Of the non-essen-
tal use Of and waste In flour and
bread.
II Is worth remembering the famine
In Egypt eight thousand years ago was
saved by little governmental fore.
sight and II does not require any iIIim-
mating dream to anticipate that so
long as the war lasts with Its Increas-
ing drafts for soldiers and munition
The world will steadily produce less
'ood. " we are wise a great harvest
Nil mean the willing building up Of a
great national reserve.
HERBERT HOOVER.