The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-12-10
JULIUS H.. BARNES
TELLS ABOUT FLOUR
HEAD OF GRAIN CORPORATION
GIVES SOME VERY INTEREST,"
ING SUGGESTIONS

The following open letter to con-
sumers, manufacturers, dealers and
bakers of flour has been issued by
julius H. Barnes, head of the United
State Grain Corporation. 1t is ad-
| dressed to "All Americans Interested
in flour 1t follows:
Thrift is common sense spending.
Unwise spending may not always indi-
cate lack of thrift but, perhaps, ignor-
ance or misconception, or just habit.
Take the case of flour: mill prices
range from $1,000 to $14.0O per barrel.
Why? Certain varieties of wheat are
selling at 80 cents per bushel above
the government guaranteed price.
Why? Last year, all kinds of wheat
and all flours sold almost uniformly
the same.
No authority exists in the wheat
guaranty law to control the maximum
price of wheat, or of flour. No
authority for requiring "war flour"
or Substitute flours,' and no neces-
sity exists for them. Besides, except
in time Of war, government should
touch the Individual preference of it's
people with great caution. Interfer-
ence may easily cause distress and
disaster. The experience and judg-
ment of honest men in private busi-
ness is the safest guide. But the war
conscience may succeed by a res
ponsive social conscience and common
sense spendig. Price competition and
the restriction of consumption by
price influence alone is ungenerous
and unfair to those of limited pur-
chasing ability.
These are the facts of a most in
teresting wheat position which make
advisable readjustment of the hab-
it's 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 100000 barrels,
which increase has been either eaten
or placed on the shelves of our peo-
pie, or partly each. This consump-
tion increase is desirable from every
point of view, replacing the strain on
higher priced foods. Our large crop
Of wheat will care for it.
Second. |
A shrinkage in the crop yield of |
spring sown hard wheat by 100000 |
300 bushels and a corresponding in
crease in the yields of winter wheat.
This requires for balance consump-
lion, shifting of part of the demand |
from one kind to the other. Soft red
winters have sold in the past, in more
years at high premiums than have
other kinds, but, this year, are the
owest priced.
Third.
The elimination December 18th of
he export and import embargoes.
For two years these have been main
aimed to provide equal distribution
# our supplies to ourselves and our
allies. They are no longer vital and
heir removal will begin the construc-
ion of international connections that
must function when the Grain Corpo-
alton retires. This may admit Can
ldian wheat of the strong variety to
make up the shortage in our own, but
canadian export, controlled by a
Canadian wheat Board committed
o a policy of operating for profit,
annot be counted on to respond flu
ntly to the usual play of demand. At
IL events, is it not in the national
interest to consume the product of
'art of our own farms and at a
easonable cost than to maintain the
Ugh premium market for the benefit
f Canadian growers
The situation requires the consid- j
ration Of all our people.
The grocer should not continue
Indy to stocking Of accustomed ;
rands regardless Of their advancing
rices, but should encourage the sale
the lower priced wheat flours. Not
, carry them puts a discount on t
ational thrift.
The baker can increase the mixture
ontent of these flours and by care
nd skill maintain the quality of
read, with benefit to his raw mater r
i cost.
The wholesaler and jobber should /
,rm new trade connections and
rovide the facilities for baker and re-
liler to secure these lower price c
ours.
The Grain Corporation does not de- G
re to replace the usual trade facili- r