Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-03-01
J.. S. TO Be SHORT
Of FOOD FOR SIXTY
DAYS, SAYS HOOVER
Country Must Make Sacrifices to
Aid Allies.
RAIL CONGESTION is BLAMED
Carriers Unable to Move Vast Stores
of Grain, Live Ctock and Potatoes
Public Asked to Aid by
Using Local. Food
Siuffs.

Washington, Feb. 22.-The next two
months will be the most critical period
with regard to food that the United
States has faced since she entered the
war.
This was the statement of Herbert
Hoover, United States, food administra-
tor. Earnest cooperation is called for.
The statement reads:
In response to many inquiries l beg
to say it is true that since the first of
December we have fallen far behind
our agreed food program with the al
lies. By the end Of February we will
be short 100000 bushels in cereal
products which we undertook as our
share of their supplies. We also will
be short of the amount of meat prod
ucts that we were to deliver.
"This deficiency is due solely to the
railway congestion since that date.
Face Critical Stage.
'"The next sixty days will be the
most critical period in our food his
tory. The simple fact is that the pro-
gram goes far deeper than supplies to
the allies.
During the last three months we
have fallen far behind in movement of
foodstuffs from the farms to the con-
Stunning and storage centers. Up to the
first of February less than so per cent
of the normal ratio of corn has been
moved, less than so per cent of the
oats and less than 60 per cent of the
potatoes.
1--WE had about 10000 carloads OF
potatoes November 1 that should have
been moved from the producing cen,
tiers, and up to the first of February
we had moved about $4,000 carloads
We should have moved over $4,000 ir
this period. The result is that pota
toes are spelling in the producers
hands.
Transportation to Blame,
'"There is a great deal of live stock
which has been ready for the market
for some time, but is still held in the
farmers hands through inability to OBJ
tain transportation.
"The effect Of this delayed move
ment has been manifold:
"First-TO jeopardize the safety OF
a great deal of the soft corn and per
ishables, such as potatoes.
"Second-The structure in flow O.
distribution has disturbed the price
conditions in the country by practical
ly suspending the law of supply an(
demand.
'Third-The cost of grains for feed
ing live stock has so increased to tn,
feedsr of finished cattle that they fac
serious losses. The costs of the dairy
ing industries have necessarily great
ly increased.
"Fourth-Through the large consum
ing areas we have been living on re
serve through the period of scant sup
plies. These reserve are approach
ing exhaustion.
'Fifth-We have been unable t
transport to seaboard the necessar
foodstuffs for the allies.
Public Must Give Aid.
1.-THE situation calls for every co-ol
GRAFTON of the public-through tn
quick loading of cars, loading them t
capacity, and d~ischarging them quick
ly-and in every way reducing the ia:
on the railways.
Cooperation can be given by reduc
ton in consumption of foodstuffs, b.
the consumption of home and loca
stores to the exclusion of transporte
articles.
mo effort is being spared to NOV
allied food, and the railway director
ate is arranging special trains to carr
meat and packing-house products fror
Chicago to load the waiting ships.
"HERBERT HOOVER"