Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-10

| M of foodstuffs, textiles,
v " shoes, leather and other
necessaries playing III the
| present high cost of living in the
United States? What steps, if any.
| can be taken. or should BE- taken to
| prevent depletion in these supplies in
| this country? These are questions
| which are giving members of Con-
gress and government officials food
| for thought in their attempts to deal
with the present situation.
The total exports of the United
States in the month of Juns Hcarly
| reached the billion-dollar mark. The
| bureau of foreign and domestic COM
merce of the Department Of Com
! merce has reported that the exports
in June amounted to the unprece-
| dented total of ss1S,25z,143. 1t has
| been estimated that in the month of
July. the total exports, when all re-
| ports are in, will have gone over the
| billion dollar mark and will be near
| er billion and a half. And it is fur
! ther reported that the warehouses in
| the ports of the United States are
filled almost to the bursting point
with goods which the owners hope to
! ship abroad at prices in excess of
| what they can obtain for them here.
Increase After Armistice.
In June. 1918, when this country
was doing its best to supply Europe
the allied nations and the neutrals
with foodstuffs and other neces-
saries, the exports totaled S4S3.7s9,-
39S. But after the armistice was sign
ed the exports jumped higher and
higher. 1t seems as though the war
weary countries of Europe have
turned to this country to supply their
needs in all lines.
| What is going to happen when Ger
many begins to tap the markets of
the United States. now that the peace
treaty has been negotiated and the
| trade is opening again? She, too, will
seek vast quantities of foodstuffs
here. While Germany has produced
great quantity Of foodstuffs for her
people. it is true. too. that she has
always depended upon imports to fill
| out her needs in grain and meats.
Much of the grain in the past she
has obtained from Russia and coun-
tries to the east. But Russia's priu-
cfpal crops now are ''red," and Ger.
many undoubfedly win hays 10 seek
foodstuffs here. Russia. too. may b.
forced to- obtain food from. Other
countries. $ i.
The outlook, so far as conseryfna
food supplies for the people Of this
country fs concerned and thereby de-
creasing the cost OF living, does not
appear bright. It is unthinkable that
the United States. with vast quantities
OF grain and meats and other food
stuns, will hut down entirely upon
exports to foreign nations, where food
is, urgently needed. Nevertheless, seri-
ous consideration is being. given by
students of the. situation to the ques-
ton Of establishing some kind of
check upon the indiscriminate ship
ment of huge quantities Of foods
abroad, in the interests of the people
at home.
luton before the Senate directing the
judiciary committee to CONSIDER, and
report upon" the advisability of legis-
lation to restrict or prohibit for a time
exports of food. clothing, leather goods
and other necessaries. II the committee
finds that such legislation is advisable
it Is directed in the resolution to draft
and report a bill. The Montana senator
plans to call up his resolution and get
favorable action upon it II possible when
the Senate meets tomorrow.
Suggestions for. Relief.
Several suggestions have been made
to relieve the situation. One is to
place embargoes upon the shipment Of
foodstuffs and other necessaries. An
other is to adopt a licensing system
for shipments to foreign countries.
with possibly an international. COM
mission to pass upon the need for
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