The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-26
-..,
GOVERNMENT SODA.
Memorandum Relative to The Dis
trfbuiOn of Nitrate of Soda by The
United States Department. of Agri-
culture.

Dear Sir:
1 have sent you several memoranda
relative to the distribution of nitrate
of soda by the department of agricul-
ture. In the memorandum dated
ferred to the MUNRO, the Canoga.
the Dania, the Sutherland and the
Sacramento. These vessels have ar
rived as expected and their cargoes
are being distributed as outlined in
that memorandum.
| In the memorandum dated June s.
the following paragraph occurs:
The RedondO is now EN- route with
n cargo of nitrate, but it is proba BILE
that she will not reach this country
earlier than June 20. The depart
ment is making every effort to secure
the assignment of additional vessels
by the Shipping Board for transport
ing nitrate and to arrange for an
exchange of nitrate in order to make
available for immediate delivery an
additional quantity of nitrate. The
port or ports OF discharge for the car
so of the RedondO will be definitely
fixed in connection with the distrbu-
ton of any additional nitrate that the
department may be able to secure
hrn xnl,n
any additional nitrate that may be-
come available for distribution will be
sent to the county agricultural agents
and to the county nitrate distributors.
| regret to say that we have been
advised by the shipping board that the
RedOndO has run ashore on the coast
Of Cuba and is probably a total loss.
Consequently, her cargo will not be
available for distribution.
The exchange of nitrate mentioned
in the quoted paragraph, if effected,
would have resulted i'm placing at the
disposal of this department for distri-
button to farmers an additional guam
tity of nitrate now in this iountry, or
soon to arrive. the department re-
placing the nitrate SO obtained from
other owners with nitrate to arrive
at later date. The department has
continued it's efforts to effect this eX-
change, through the war industries
board, but has been unsuccessful.
This department has made every
effort to secure the assignment of
vessels by the United States shipping
board for transporting nitrate and al!
the nitrate that has been brought into
this country has been distributed or is
now being distributed to farmers.
Owing to the lack of ships. it has not
transport to this country al! the nj
trate purchased for distribution, anu
it has large quantity Of nitrate now
i'm storage in Chile. No Vessels a.
now engaged in Transporting nitrate
for this department and even If yes
sells should be assigned It this tima
most of the nitrate would not arrive
i'm time for use on the present crop
Unless the department should be able
to arrange hereafter for an exchange
of nitrate, it is not likely, therefore
that any nitrate will be available fO'
distribution other than that with refer
once to which county distributors
have already been advised
In case any additional nitrate
should become available through such
exchange, county nitrate distributors
will be notified at once as 20 the guam
tity for distribution in their RESPECTIVE
counties. Very truly yours,
Charles j. Br-:n1,
Chief of Bureau.
Note: County agricultural ag'n.s
| and county nitrate distributors are
requested TO give publicity to tits
statement i'm order that farmers may
be advised without delay rs TO the
present status of the nitrate Gistrlbu-
| ton.