The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1919-01-04

conference as TO necessitate an entire
alteration In the plans OF price stabi-
lzation. The current peace talk has
alarmed the holders OF corn. and there
has been a price decline of from 70
tents to 40 cents per bushel. The fact
that the accumulations OF low priced
corn In the Argentine and South Afri-
ca would, upon the advent OF peace
and liberated shipping. become ayaila-
BILE to the European market has Gre
lated great deal Of apprehension on
the part OF corn holders. This decline
has spread fear among swine growers
that a similar reduction in the prices
OF hogs would naturally follow. More
over, the lower range OF corn prices
would, II Incorporated In 13-to-1 ra-
ito, obviously result I'm a continuously
falling price for live hogs. In view
OF these changed conditions many
swine producers anticipated lower
prices and as a result rushed their
hogs 10 market In large numbers, and
this overshlpment has added to and
aggravated the decline.
The Information OF the Department
OF Agriculture indicates that the sup
ply OF hogs has increased about per
cent. while the highest unofficial esti-
mate does not exceed 10 per. cent. In
creased production over last year. On
the other hand, the arrival OF hogs
during the last three weeks In the
seven great markets has been q per
cent. more than last year, during the
corresponding period, demonstrating
the unusually heavy marketing OF the
available supply. In the face OF the
excessive receipts some packers have
not maintained the price agreed last
month. On the other hand, many
OF the packers have paid over the
price offered TO them iu an endeavor
to maintain the agreed price. The re-
suit In any event has been a failure
% maintain the October price basis
determined upon at the September con-
terence and undertaken by the pack
ers. Another factor contributing TO
the break In prices during the month
has been the influenza epidemic; II
has sharply curtailed consumption OF
pork products and temporarily de-
creased the labor staff of the packers
about 25 per cent
The exports OF 130000,000 pounds
of pork products for October com
pared with about 100000 pounds
in October year ago, and the
export orders placeable by the Food
Administration for November, amount
10 l70O00,0OO pounds as contrast
ed with the lesser exports or
Ds.OOO.0O0 for November, 1917. The
increased demands OF the allies are
continuing, and are In themselves
proof OF the necessity for the large
production for which the Food Admin
sstratlon asked The Increase In ex-
port demands appears 10 be amply
sufficient to take up the increase In
hog production, but unfavorable mar
ket conditions existing In October af-
ford no fair index of the aggregate
supply and demand.
I n must Be evident that the enor-
enous shortage In fats In the Central
3 Empires and neutral countries would
Immediately upon peace result in ad-
dItionai demands for pork products
which, on top OF the heavy shipments
20 the Allies, would tend materially
10 increase the American exports. In
asmuch as no considerable reservoir OF
supplies exists outside OF the United
States. IL seems probable that the
present prospective supplies would be
inadeauate TO meet this world demand
with the return TO peace. So far as IL
IL possible TO interpret this fact, II APP
penrs that there should be even a
stronger demand for pork products
after the war, and therefore any alarm
of hog producers as 10 the effect OF
pcace- Is unwarfanted by the outlook.
In the light OF these circumstances
n Is the conclusion OF the conference
that attempts TO hold the price of hogs
70 the price of corn may work out TO
the disadvantage OF pork producers.
II Is the conclusion that any interpre-
tation OF the formula should be a
broad gauged policy applied over a
hong period. II Is the opinion of the
ppference that In substitution OF the
Z Nvious plans OF sterilization the
n stock subcommittee OF the Agri-
- vral Advisory Board, together with
= BeciaIly Invited swine representa-
49,. should accept the invitation OF
she Food Administration TO Join with
.ele Administration and the packers In
4 \termIning the prices at which con-
y \Iled export orders are to be placed.
u Is viii be regularly done. The. In
lace OF these o<ers win be directed
ENntenance Of the common OBJ
fkly. the sterilization OF the
hogs 50 as 10 secure as far
4 tsIbIe fair returns to thel
,..s"N