The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-08-04
PLAN MOVING OF
BIC GRAIN CROPS
Railroad Administration Giving
Careful Consideration to Nee
esSary Measures.
EXPECT GREAT WHEAT YIELD
Tonnage of Grain VIII Exceed That
of Last Year by Large Margin
May Try Permit System
Again.


Again.
Washington.-Th railroad admins
tration is giving careful consideration
to the measures necessary for the sat
isfactory TRANSPORTATION of the antici-
pated large crops of grains, according
to a statement authorized by Walker
d. Hines, director general of rail-
roads. The department of agriculture
has estimated that the yield of winter
wheat will exceed 900000,O00 bushels.
A fair estimate of the yield of spring
wheat approximates 300.000,000 bush
els. The total yield OF wheat this
year will in all probability exceed the
total of last year by from three to
four hundred millions of bushels. No
estimate of other grains is, of course,
possible at this time, but, barring
unusual climatic conditions, it can per-
haps be properly expected that the
tonnage In grain that win be pro-
duced this year will exceed that of
last year by a considerable margin.
The stable price fixed last year by
the government on wheat naturally
provoked a desire ON the part Of the
producer to realize his earnings as
quickly as possible, and since stable
price has again been fixed by the gov
eminent for this years crop 1t is as
sumed q similar condition will obtain.
Last year this economical condition,
coupled with more or less disarrange.
ment in ocean tonnage and consequent
disruption in shipping, resulted In
such an acute situation at the interior
grain markets and at seaports, that It
became necessary to install the So
called permit system" which was
early made operative at the ports, and
in September, 1918, at the principal in
terror markets.
Controlling Traffic.
The permit system is highly bene-
fetal system OF controlling traffic ut
the sources to prevent serious conges-
ton on the road and at destination.
This system prevented in the fall Of
1913 a serious transportation paralysis
of former years due to widespread |
of traffic which had been
but which could not be dis
posed of at destination. This paraly- !
sis of traffic In former years was most |
apparent In the East. but its injuri- !
Gus effects were felt throughout the
country.
While the permit system at the (,
ports is still in operation, it was sus-
pended a few months ago at the in |
terror markets, due TO improved ocean
and the fact that the bulk of |
the grain had been moved. 1t is, how /
ever, to be expected that the system !
viii again be inaugurated with the
opening of the new wheat season, and
in view of that possibility the railroad
is already preparing
The necessary machinery so that 1t
may be prepared to act without delay
ut the proper time. Conferences
have already been held with represent.
atives OF the grain corporation.
As graphically illustrating the ne
,esslty of regulating the transporta-
ion Of this tonnage, and the results
from such regulation, the fol-
owing facts are of value and interest
ng: For the nine months of the crop
year, July l, 1918, TO May 1, 1919, there
passed through the grain handling IA
,ilities of the country-elevators and
nills--a total of 3,440, 236,000 bushels
VI all grains, although the highest
point of grain storage of all kinds at
my one time in that period was 4S0,r
100000 bushels. That Is, in nine
months the flow of grain was sever
lines the quantity which accumulated
n storage ut the highest point during
hat period. This Is direct illustra-
ion of the necessity Of keeping the
facilities of the coun-
Iy liquid to avoid the distress to all
that would follow the block
ne of this flow of grain.
Reinaugurate Permit PIa2.
The permit system as operated last
ear contemplates the closest cooper
tion between the railroad administra-
ion and the United States food adj
grain corporation. The
ocal representatives of the grain cor
,oration were In daily contact with
he grain control committees at each [
market, and in view of the very com.
,rehensive data and information in I
heir possession as to storage faclli.
les, anticipated movements cut OF
the needs Of different sec :
ions Of the country, not only as to
wheat but as to other cereals that flow
oincidentally with wheat. etc., were
# invaluable aid in the accomplish
nent of The permit system with
minimum economic disturbance. The
anne character Of assistance is being
ranged for from the grain corpora
ion, or the wheat director, In antici.
'ation that it will be necessary to re-
the permit plan within the
Iext one or two months.
The wheat director is as vitality In.
crested as the railroad administration
hat the grain tonnage shall be han.
lied with the least possible friction as
'etween all interests concerned, and
s in entire harmony with the railroad