Evening journal., 1918-02-15
i. S. FACES FAMINE,
CORNELL HEAD SAYS
Government Price-Fixing
Has Frightened Farmers
From Raising Crops
PROFITEERING
IS CONDEMNED

ITHACA. ". Y. Feb. i5.-warning
that the nation "is confronted with the
danger of starvation in the next twelve
months" and that the energies OF our
farmers are paralyzed by price-nxing
and the fear Of prlce-nxlng," Jacob
Gould Schurman. president Of Cornell
University, spoke yesterday at the far
mers' week program at Cornell Uni
Versity on The Food Crisis and the
Farmer"
He deplored attempts to regulate the
prices Of farm products. but urged
legislation TO end pronteering in the
sale OF foodstuffs. lie warned that the
nation IS using up IFS grain reserves
and said he believed the stage has been
reached where compulsion should
supersede appeals to save food. Tie ap-
pealed 10 President Wilson and Con
gress 10 give farmers a fair chance 10
stimulate agricultural production.
President Schurmans address. in
part follows:
"Of all the great problems Of this
colossal word war the food problem
is now the most important. Man-power
can be raised by cOnscriptiOn up TO the
point OF exhaustion.i The allied lines
from the North Sea to Switzerland are
piled high with munitions. which the
output Of French. British and American
factories is constantly augmenting. But
everywhere the supply Of food is limit
IH hnNnmH
you see the edge Of an inferno Of starry
ing nations. Yet no problem Of the
war is so much misunderstood. The
simple question Is this:
Can we keep our own and our al-
lied soldiers and civil population from
sl2rvatiOn2 10 is solely a question OF
supply
Legislation can surely put n stop 10
pronteering In the sale Of foodsiuffs. II
milk goes up a cent a quart and chill
dren die IN New York in consequence.
ought there not be a law 10 stop IL?
But why should the food producer
be singled out for the role OF a public
beneN 0lent Institution? Why not also
the producers Of unessential commOdi-
ties. of luXuries? Why deny the far
mer alone the market price Of his labor
support the poor OF our great cities He
certainly cannot AFFORD it. One-third Of
our farmers are tenants and own little
or nothing. And Of those who own
the farms they operate only 80 per
cent. have them free Of mortgage.
Why attempt to regulate the prices
or farm products? Like other commodi-
ties. they viii not be produced at an
hn rrnHN
cient 90 cover the cost Of production
and fair profit. The people who de-
mand the regulation of food prices
really want low prices. But low prices
FOR anything whatever in wartimes are
utterly impossible. And foodstuns have
not gone up more than other commodi-
ties.
Why should anyone want Co lay
HANDS on food for the purpose Of price
regulation? The problem is solving it.
self IN accordance with economic laws
with results quite analogous 90 those
we ind In the price advances OF other
commodities.
do you want 20 penalize food pro-
ducers by compelling them TO sell their
products at prices relatively lower than
other producers? Is that the way mad
Al'r7 llNa -AAtAl ANllf anu rum lNINo~
tice.
. u repeat and reiterate that our food
problem is one OF enlarged production
and augmented supply price-flXing
leads TO the opposite results. We have
tried that experiment with coal pro-
ducers and the result is heaiIess Mon
days. We have tried that experiment
with the railway companies and The
result IS a paralysis Of transportation.
We have tried that experiment with
wheat and we have sent the price
OF corn above wheat compelling
the farmer to feed wheat tO his poultry
and animals and discouraging him In
the planting Of winter wheat
II believe 10 no eXaggerati0n 10 say
that we are confronted with tho danger
of starvation I'm the next twelve
months. The energies Of our farmers
are paralyzed by price-flXlng and the
fear of price-flXing. Does the Govern
ment want to stimulate agricultural
production? Then strike the shacklos
on the farmer and leave him as free
as other producers. In the name of
common sense, Of justice and Of pa
triOtism ] make this appeal % the
President and Congress. Food will win
the war. Give the farmers a fair
chance to win IT,