The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-22
FOOD PROBLEM
MOST CRITICAL,
SAYS HOOVER
Blames Railroads for Lack
Of Supplies for Home
and Allied Use. 4;
FARM STOCKS ABUNDANT
Perishable Stuff Permitted to
Decay Through Lack Of
transportation.
SPECIAL DespdtcA to TIE srS.

vPeCoS DeSputcn 70 1HE Dun.
WASHINGTON. Feb. c1.--A food situa-
tion little short of alarming. both for
this country and the ALLIES, was re-
veaied to-day BY Herbert c. Hoover,
the Food Administrator. The most criti-
ca food period in the history Of the
United states is facing this country in
the next sixty days. Mr.. Hoover asserted
In a statement based upon a survey Of
the food situation both here and abroad.
So grave are the conditions that any
untoward circumstance such as the cut
ting Of the transportation lines on land
o. or sea would be calamity OF which
the consequences scarcely can be fore
told.
As result OF transportation difficul-
U,s brought on by the winters storms.
food has not moved from the farms and
the great consuming centres Of the coun-
tr: in consequence have beon exhaust
ing their reserve supplies. the economic
rsnihcatlons OF this presenting what
Mr. Hoover described as "the most criti-
,ai Of situations"
Blame for this situation is placed
sQuarcly at the door OF the nations rail-
roads 10y Mr.. Hoover. This, however, Is
disputed by the Railroad Administra-
ton.
Railroads Defended.
For tire Railroad Administration the
statement was made that all the food
that had been offered the railroads had
been moved and that the nguree showed
-ha. never before in the country's history
lad 80 much foodstufts been transported.
I. was evident that Mr. Hoover's state
ment did not at all coincide with the
views entertained BY Mr.. McAdoo and
his staff.
While there was no disposition on the
part Of the railroad officials to dispute
the needs made known by Mr. Hoover
Il was stated positively that every
hushel Of grain offered the roads at the
primary markets had been moved.
Furthermore. IL was said that It was
complained that the Food Adminstra-
tion had not been able definitely TO tell
the railroads where the food was that It
wanted moved. Collection Of the food.
It was pointed out. was up to the Food
Administration. We can't scrape the
b!n." was the remark made at tao Rail-
road Administration. 1T may be true that
100000 bushels a day must be moved,
hut X the railroads. are able to handle 1t
and tho 5000. 900 bushels are not deliv-
cred to the railroads It can't be up to
the railroads"
Figures at the Railroad Adm.nis,ra-
ton office, 1t was said. showed that 26,-
100000 bushels of grain had been moved
las. week and that 1000 carloads OF
food 4 day were running to New York;
AllieG Powers Alarmed.
The seriousness OF the situation con-
fronting this country and its allies waa
evidenced by the fact that Lord Rsad-
ing, the British Ambassador; Count Di
Cellere. the Italian Ambassador. and
Andre Tardieu. tho French High Com
missioner. held Joint eonfsrepce at the
Treasury to-day with Mr. McAdoo as to
row to get moro food to their respective
Countries.
Mr.. McAdoo assured the allied repret
scntat.ves that six solid trains Of 200
oars a day Of packing house products
purchased for the Allies were being
moved from Chicago and Kansas City
each day and will be for the next
thirty days until 10000 tons has
that from 100000 bushels OF
wheat, 100000 bushels OF oats
and from 100000 to 100000 bushels
.. corn a day Is being moved from the
primary markets to Eastern ports.
The Drector-General pointed out tha,
i!l December only 500 cars q day OF
toodstuffs were being moved. but that
at the present time, under Government
operation, the movement was 5000 car
!oads a day. and that foodstuffs were
moving in solid trains for the Hrst time
ltord Reading said that Mr.. McAdoc
was accomplishing wonders and that hs
was greatly pleased.
Tho tenseness Of tho situation as Il
affects the Allies Is due to the fact that
Ike the consuming centres Of this coun'
'-r. their reserve supplies have been de-
r,eted. They have little Of the necessa.
!es OF life ahead. and the sudden break
ing OF the transport alton lines. It was
stated at the Food Administration Office
io-day. would bring situation worse
nan desperate.
Efforts are being made BY allied offi
AIS 70 bring the reserve UP to the point
# safety. SO that the sinking Of severa
food ships in succession would not put
'!e!r countries in dire straits.
Cattle Men Face Losses.
In his statement Mr. Hoover said:
In response TO many Inquiries I hes
70 say 1t Is true that since the first Ot
december We have fallen far behind ouI
greed food programme with the Allies
j!y the end OF February we will be short
100000 bushels In cereal products
"hcn we undertook as our snare oi
'a"Ir supplies. We also will be short OF
ne amount of meat and pork product.
nat we were to deliver. This deficiency
a due solely to the railway congestion
''n'e that date. The railway directorate
snee coming into control on January
has made effort to md remedy. BIZ
during the month Of January the weather
Vas insupcrable. and although progress
mas been made since February 8. tho
situation is the accumulation Of three
months delays.
Tho next sixty days will be the n,os'
critical period in our food history. Tft
,mple fact Is that tho problem goes fal
deeper than supplies to the Allies. Dur
l"g me last three months We have fallef
lar behind In the movement Of foodstuff,
..o'n the farms to the consuming anG
ssors&s centres. Up TO the hrst q
FEBRUARY less than 30 per cent. Of thu
normal ratio Of corn has been moved
ies than so per cent Of the oats AND
,eSs than so per cent. Of the potatoes
ron November l to January We were
.lof' IN the usual movement Of grains
.nd gram products into tho terminal.
,.one by over 10000 carloads-ovel
''''oo'ooo busheis-and this further wa,