Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-13
PRESIDENT GIVES HIS REASONS
FOR vEroINe BILL CONTAIN.
ING INCREASED PRICE.
TOO PATRIOTIC TO CUT
WARTIME PRODUCTION
President Maintains Price Previously
Fixed Has Been Satisfactory to
Large Majority Of Produeers-Rise
Would Add to Cost Of Living -
Wilson Praises Farmers For Spirit.

| Washington, July 13.-President
Wilson last eight vetoed the annual
agricultural appropriation bill con-
| tanning an amendment increasing the
price of wheat to $40 per bushel.
| Members of congress from wheat
growing states will make fight to
pass the bill over the veto, but indi-
cations are that the wheat price pro-
visions will be eliminated.
The presidents message follows:
| Il regret to return without my
signature so important measurs
as H. r. 1854, entitled An Act Max
ing Appropriations for the Depart
| ment of Agriculture for the Fiscal
Year Ending June 80, 1919 but l feel
constrained to do so because of my
earnest dissent, from the point Of view
| of principle as well as wise eNped:en-
cy, from the provisions Of that part
dissection IA which prescribes uni
form minimum price for No. north
ern spring wheat at $40 a bushel
Make Arbitrary Levels.
I dissent upon principle because
I believe that such inelestic legisla-
tive price provisions are insusceptible
OF being administered in a way that
will be advantageous either to the pro-
Queer or to The consumer. establish
ing as they CO arbitrary levels which
are quite independent of the normal
market conditions. and because l be-
lieve that the present method OF regu-
lation by conference with all con-
cerned has resulted in the most salts
factory manner, considering the COM
plexity and variety OF the subject
matter dealt with
1T is evident that the present meth
cd of determining the price to be paid
for wheat has had the most stimulat-
ing effect upon production, the est!-
mated crop Of spring wheat for this
year exceeding all high. records in a
very remarkable and gratifying way.
Few Price Objections.
BY an overwhelming majority Of
the farmers OF the United States the
price administratively fixed has been
regarded as fair and liberal and OBJ
jections to ii have come only from
those sections Of the country where,
unfortunately, it has in recent years
proved impossible to rely upon CHI
matte conditions to produce full crop
Of wheat, and where, therefore. many
disappointments to the farmer have
proved to be unavoidable.
Personally do not believe that
the farmers Of the country depend
upon the stimulation of price to
do their utmost to serve the nation
and the world at this time of crisis
by exerting themselves to an ex
traordinary degree to produce the
largest and bes. crops possible.
Praises Farmers Spirit.
Their patriotic spirit in this matter
has been worthy all praise and has
shown them playing a most admirable
and gratifying part In the full mobili-
zation of the resources of the country.
To very greatly increased production
of wheat they have added an increased
Production of almost every other i'm
portant grain, so that our grararies
are likely to overflow, and the anxiety
Of the nations arrayed against Germany
with regard to their food supplies has
been relieved.
THE administrative method of agree
ing upon a fair price has this very
great advantage WHICH any element OF
rigidity would in large part destroy,
namely, the advantage Of flexibility, of
rendering possible at every stage and
in the view Of every change of exper-
fence readjustment which will be fair
alike to producer and consumer.
"A fixed maximum price of $40 per
bushel would. 1t is estimated, add 81
per barrel to the price Of -four; in 9TH
er words, raise the price Of flour from
the present price Of $1,000 to $3.50 at
the mill, and inasmuch as we are an
ticipating crop of approximately 900,-
, 100000 bushels Of wheat. this increase
would be equivalent to the immense
sum Of 100000.
Would Add to Living Cost.
Such an increase in the price of
wheat in the United States would force
corresponding increase in the price Of
Canadian wheat The allied govern
ments, would Of course. be obliged to
| make all of their purchases at the i'm
creased figure, and the whole scale of
their financial operations in this coun-