The Washington herald., 1918-09-23
M'ADOOFACES
WHEAT PUZZLE
Railroads Face Big Grain
Movement Eastward,
Says Holland.

Says Holland.
In 1857 managers of the various
railroads who in the early fall begin
hauling corn and grain from the
harvest fields TO the seaports were
in great distress of mind because
they were unable TO supply a sufr-
cient number Of cars with which to
transport the grain and corn. The
late James stillman, who visited
Buffalo at that time. said TO his
friends, upon his return to New York.
that 1t was appalling to see the con-
gestion at Buffalo occasioned by the
enormous quantity of grain and. corn
which had been shipped through the
Great Lakes to the Buffalo elevators
For it was impossible for the rail-
roads to take care of the corn and
grain in any amount and bring the
food products to the seaports. There
was great demand for wheat from
England and from the continent Of
Europe. Mr.. Stillman then said that
the reason why the railroads could
not relieve this unprecedented con-
gesuon at Buffalo and at other points
was to be discovered in the fact that
by reason Of legislative action tho
credit OF the railroads had fallen so
low that they were unable to secure
new cars and equipment sufficient 10
meet the demands for transportation
OF grain.
A somewhat similar situation is
now reported to exist in those large
centers to which wheat and other
grains are sent by the farmers for
the purpose OF shipping these pro.
ducts to the seaports. II is reported
that congestion exists everywhere in
the West and probably will soon be
found to be the condition in Buffalo.
But II is not que entirely to the con-
ditions which prevailed in 1907 that
the railroads are unable to handle
the enormous stores of grain which
have been accommodating at Duluth,
St Louis. Kansas City. Omaha and
in other places.
Must Move 10000 Cars.
Director General McAdoo through
his sHbordinates has been acting
with promptness and energy so the
railroads now under government con-
troll may be able speedily to haul the
grain to the seaports and to rhe
mills. One Of the estimates lust
made states that there are not less
than 5000 cars held on the railroads
which must be moved speedily in
order to move the grain.
The farmers are anxious to set
their wheat and. as soon as the corn
is harvested, also to get that crup
to the market. There will be imme-
diate payment to the farmers for
their grains so that they not only
Will be in position to Iiquidate the
loans which they have obtained from
the banks in order to finance the
cultivation and marketing of the
crops but should also have a largo
surplus much Of which no doubt will
be invested in Fourth Liberty Loan
bonds
By the time the crops Of next sum-
mer and early fall are garnered rail-
road conditions will undoubtedly
have so greatly improved as TO elini-
nate the danger OF congestion OF grain
at the great central point. Should
weather conditions prove fayora BILE
there should be a much larger har-
vest OF wheat next summer than the
farmers were able to secure this year.
The farmers responded cordially TO
the appeal of the government author
tiles last year who asked them to in
crease the acreage which they would
put under wheat cultivation. Reports
have been received in this city tell
ing of the intention OF the farmers in
the South considerably to increase
their wheat acreage, for II has been
learned that in some parts Of the
South wheat can be cultivated to as
great advantage as in any Of the
wheat belts of the North.
This disposition of the Southern far
mers was made known before the an
pouncement that the Food Admins
tration would request the farmers of
the United States to plant a much
larger number of acres to wheat this
fall and winter than was done last
year.
Increase wheat Acreage.
That request WILL in all probability
be well needed n the farmers. Fall
plowins is well bnder way in some
parts Of the country and in the great
wheat belts N the Northwest 1t is
expected tbgt there will be a consid-
cradle irJresse in the acreage de-
voted to wheat cultivation. The
farfEIers of the Northwest have done
wonderfully well this year, having
garnered one of the largest wheat
crops on record. Not discouraged by
a q rfxTA f,1 40 l.
ton in Montana, the farmers of that
state expect to increase their wheat
acreage this fall.
The Food Administration believes
that the farmers of the United States
will be able so to increase their
wheat areas that at least 45,0o0,0 900
acres will be cultivated to winter
wheat If this estimate proves to be
correct IL will be an increase of about
10 per cent in the area.
Twenty years ago some OF the ex-
perts were confident that substantial
ly all OF the good wheat-growing land
of the United States was under cult
walton and that there could be no ad-
dition unless reclamat tion of land in
the Far West upon an extensive scale
was made. These estimates are now
shown 10 have been far out of tn.
way. We have not exhausted ou'
available wheat belts. From 5000 900
acres devoted this year to winter
wheat a crop of 5oo0cO,ooO bushels was
obtained.
There are enthusiasts who believe
that with proper government encour-
agement and with adequate as well
as reasonable transportation facilities
the time is not distant when the fig-
ure once named by James ]. Hill as a
possibility of maximum wheat pro-
duction In the United States, 1000,
10000 bushels in each year. will be
reached. HOLLAND.