The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-04-22
WHEAT NOT TO
LEAP IN PRICE
Director Barnes ReassureS the
Consumer.
THREE PLANS ON GRAIN
Declares the Domestic User Will Pay
No More This Year Than the For
eigner.

eigner.
New York, April 22-Despite main
tenance of the government guaran-
teed price in the face Of an American
wheat crop which probably will break
all records, domestic consumers will
not pay more for the product during
the coming year than the rates con-
currently accepted from foreign buy
ers
Julius II. Barnes, newly appointed
federal wheat director, assured the
public of this in a statement in New
York outlining the policies of his adj
ministration. Mr.. Barnes termed I'M
sound any government scheme OF ar
t1ficial substituting, and said he thought
II quite possible, with the greater part
of Europe looking to America for food
and the crop prospects of the allied
countries even poorer than last year,
that little inroad, except Of a temper
rary nature, will be made upon the
81 900, 100000 fund provided by con-
gress to carry out the farmers guar
antee of $226 bushel
However, should there be surplus
production of wheat, he said, the ma
tional treasury will be protected as far
as possible in making good the differ
ence between the guaranteed and
market rates by determination OF a
world price for the sale of the surplus.
At present the world price exceeds the
government price. How much of the
federal appropriation will be expend-
ed. the director stated, will DEPEND
upon the harvest, as also will the gov
eminent policy in buying and selling
portions Of the crop. Until facts con-
corning the 1919 yield are more gene
rally known, he added, no definite plan
of operation can he intelligently adopt
ed
The administration is now working
out other nolicies, he added.
In ro, IN to federal acquisition of
wheat, which he predicted will be car
ried out on an extensive scale in in
forcing the farmers guaranty, partic-
ularly if the world price should be
lower than the governments is effec-
tive until June 1. 1920. Mr. Barnes
said three plans were under consid-
Grafton. Direct dealing with the farm
ers, which would bring the director
into contact with 100000 persons ;
purchase through the country grain
exchanges, which would necessitate
keeping 10000 accounts, and buying
through the mills, which would reduce
the number of clients to 1000.
AS to sale of government acquired
stocks the director said that congress,
with clear conception of the diff
culties of the coming year, has dele
gated to the president large powers
and discretion. which will be at the
service of the wheat administration.
The sale policy, he said, will be decid-
ed by factors developing with the sea-
son, and the license power will be
used, If necessary, to control trade
practices, to assure proper reflection
of the guaranteed price reaching all
classes of producers.
Accepting the department of agri-
cultures estimate Of the largest win
ter wheat crop in history and making
allowance for unfavorable weather
conditions which had held the spring
crop back two weeks Mr.. Barnes
predicted that Americas 1919 wheat
yield would tax to the utmost the
countryq's storage, railroad and ship
ping facilities.