The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-12-05
FLOUR WILL RE SOLD TO PUBLIC
 BY GOVERNMENT
Grain Will Be Offered For Sale In Small BOXCS-EEineS
 Tells Why.

Julius H. Barnes. United States Wheat Director, has addressed an open letter to the housewives of America asking their cooperation in the adjustment of the present flour situation and the proposed sale by the government, within the next two weeks, of straight flour in small packages at q nominal cost. The letter follows:
 Mil prices range from $10 to $14 per barrel. Why? Again, certain varieties of wheat are selling 80 cents per busheI above the govern Inent guarantee price. Why? Last year, all Kinds of wheat and all Hours sold almost uniformly the same.
 The Grain Corporation, by tbs middle of December, will have ia most of our cites not a--eady pro- vided with similar flour at similar prices suitable retail packages under the name United States Grain Cor poration Standard Tu~e Wheat Flour This is being done because from every national standpoint it is desirable that our individual con- srt1ners and our bakers readapt their consumption to use the product " HIGH 15 III iIILp SupI1E tLl-9 . -s@A and relax the strain on that charac- ter of flour which is in light supply.
 These are the facts of a most in teresting wheat position. which make advisable a daptatiOn of the habits of our flour consumers:
 First: An increase in flour and bread consumption. In five months, United States flour production records an increase above last year of over 1O.O00,OOO barrels, which increase has been either eaten or placed on the shelves of our people. or partly each. This consumption increase Is desirable from every point of view, replacing the strain on higher priced foods. Our large crop of wheat will care for 1t.
 "Second: A shrinkage in the crop yield of spring-sown hard whea by 15,OO0,OOO bushels and a correspond ing increase in the yie-d of winter wheats. This requires, for balanc- ed consumption, a shifting of part of the demand from one kind to the other. Soft red winters have sold in the past, more years at high pre- miums than have other kinds, but, this year, are the lowest priced.
 Third: The elimination Dec. IS of the export and import embargoes. For two years these have been main tained to provide equal distribution of our supplies to ourselves and our Allies. They are no longer vital and tI-~ir removal will begin the recon struCtiOn of international trade con neCtions that must function when the Grain Corporation retires. This may admit Canadian wheat of the strong variety to make up the shortage in our own. but Canadian export, con- trolled by Canadian wheat board committed to a policy of operating for profit can not be counted on to respond duentIy to the usual play of demand. At all events, is it not in the national interest to consume the product of part of our own farms and at a reasonable cost than to maintain the high premium mark ct for the benefit of Canadian growers? :?
 The grocer should not continue bIindIy the stocking of acCustome e6 brands regardless of their advancing prices. but should encourage the sSe of the lower-priced wheat fours. Not to carry them, puts a discount on na- tional thrift.
 Bakers can increase the mixture content of these Hours and by care and 5aIu maintain the quality of DreaQ, WlLh Deihe4Il Lo HIS Id" Hla- terial cost
 The Bureau of Labor Retail Price Reports indicate that for 20 months the average price of one sixteenth C12A pounds) in this coun- try has been 81 cents to 89 cents, This opportunity offers the retail price of flour at about , cents.
 If retailers represent this -four as unsuitable, our people should, by test. be their own judges On and after Dec. 20, the offices of the United States Grain Corporation at New York will answer inquiries as to what retailers handle this flour"