Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-12-07

cent Of the movement fronl sarms has
gone into channels outsitic ~ ,hs grain
corporation altogether. and tho accu-
mutation oc whslt by the grain cG,ro-
ration has fallen short ny sN69a. cOc
There 10 no method to control within
bounds the price OF wheat and flour
In this country except the natural
pressure of the crop. The grain COR
poration can only secure wheat for
resale by first purchasing and In pur-
chasing can only pay the guarantee
price basis. The market generally is
above that basis.
within the last week the grain cor
are adequately supplied with raw ma
terial on which mill competition could
operate in the protection Of the COM
sumner. has resold from its accumu-
lated stocks to the extent Of $4,000, 600
to 30,00O,0 900 bushels for min consump-
ton. 1t IL probable that this reselling
with the opening Of import opportunity
will protect our consumers against In
flated flour prices and the use Of these
natural protective methods can not be
objected to, soundly, by the producer or
any other class.
UNITED STATES EXPORTS
The export record for the ~
month shows exports of 62,576, 900
bushels of wheat and 6,76S, 900 barrels
Of flour. or the equivalent OF $4,000
bushels of wheat, compared with the
same period last year OF 71,O26 900
bushels of wheat and $3.50 barrels
of flour, or total equivalent OF 10O,-
100000 bushels of wheat.
FLOUR PRODUCTION
In the ~ months the mills of the
United States have produced 55,571 900
barrels of flour, against the same Pc
riod last year. 4b.70S,000 barrels Of
flour. That is, the mill production of
~ months has exceeded last years
record by almost 100000 barrels,
while flour exports have been almost
identical. This indicates, either that
the people OF the United States are
eating flour and bread ut greatly ex-
banded ratio, or else that the invisible
stocks of flour In the United States
are increasing rapidly. Probably the
truth lies between the two, and that
there has been an expansion of bread
consumption (Which Is distinctly in the
national interest because bread Is still
the cheapest food and replaces neces-
sarily higher priced foods), and also
there Is possibly an enlargement Of do
nestle flour stocks. This latter phase
may even have bordered on flour
boarding, as a great many irrespon-
sible stories have circulated to the eff
feet that flour will be scarce, which
study Of the figures Of wheat supply
does not indicate, and that there is
contemplated the putting into use of
substitute and war flours,
On this latter point desire to make
1t clear that the wheat director can see
no authority in the wheat act for pre-
scribing or controlling the character of
flour manufactured from wheat, the
percentage of extraction, nor separa
ton, nor is there any authority to i'm
pose the use of substitute flours,
wholly or by admixture, on the people
of the United States.
RETAIL FLOUR SITUATION
THE partial crop failure, in the
northwestern states, where Is grown
the strong wheat of the United States,
has given this year a premium, because
OF its scarcity, to that quality Of wheat.
Concidentally with the relative scar
city of strong wheats (Which make
more loaves to the barrel of flour the
people of the United States have I'M
doubtedly increased the bakery trade
as against the household consumption.
There is real reason why the baker
should prefer flour which makes more
loaves of bread to the barrel, but the
household use. l have felt that il the
individual consumer has an opportun-
ity to exercise his preference fairly,
ana prefers to pay a higher price for
a preferred character of goods, that no
responsibility attached to us.
Retailers complain that they can
not handle in their retail trade for a
of pure wheat flour which we buy for
the export trade. We are planning an
pure wheat flour, perfectly nutritious
own trade name: United States Grain
Corporation Standard Pure Wheat
Flour, our regular standard flour and
margins through the established facil-
tiles of wholesalers and retailers this
flour can be offered to the consumer
in such a manner that the economical
housewife can make a saving, if she
so desires. We shall have this flour
generally in the retail trade within the
next three weeks. I have no forecast
to make as to whether it Is accepted
for general consumption, but at least
the opportunity will be there
PRICE ADVANCES
1T is interesting to note that the
raw material raised by the producer
to June 1918, from
the level of 1913. 166 per cent. In the
same period the semi manufactured
product-flour-hand by the whole
saler. advanced 127 per cent; and the
product handled by the baker
-bread-reaching the consumer, ad-
vanced "a per cent.
venture again to offer you the ex-
act information of this office in re-
spect to any questions which reach
You. Over-zealous flour statesmen
attempt to influence pros
pactive customers into consumma ting
purchases by over stating or mis- stat
ing conditions. The exact information
IL In our office through our license re-
ports in a manner which no trade
agency ever had before. and will con-
tinue to be available. week by week,
until the grain corporation closes its
administration. We greatly desire that
information placed in the service Of the
public for their eflida nca and nrotan