Evening star., 1934-08-11
Secretary Predicts No
Shortage in Spite of Ex-
ceedingIy Low Supplies.
PLENTY TO SAFEGUARD
U. S. HEALTH, HE SAYS
Speculation Curbs to Be Devised.
Crop Prospects Down % Pct.
Control to Be Modified.
BY the Associated Press.


Food prices will be materially
higher" next year, according 10 Secre-
tary Wallace, but no shortage is ex-
pected in spite of the drought. Pro-
spective food and feed supplies are
down to the lowest point in 80 years.
In 1885 consumers will not enjoy
the customary supply of Sirloin
steaks and pork chops" Wallace de-
clared. but there will be plenty OF
food to keep every one in the best OF
health"
Yesterdays crop report estimated
that production of 80 principal crops
win be % per cent below the average
of the past 13 years. Wallace said.
Prices will necessarily be materially
higher" but the essential problem is
still the city problem Of effective
channels of distribution"
He added he would prevent by every
means possible speculation and profit
eering in foodstuffs.
Modifies Program.
The Secretary also declared drought
damage revealed by the report makes
necessary very great notifications" in
crop-curtailment plan for 1885.
. To avoid getting production out Of
balance again. however, "it will be
necessary to have some sort Of con-
troll" even though acreage cuts are
not called for, he said
1T would seem to be essential to
be in position to resume control in
1886" he said.
During July drought damaged corn
to the extent of SOC, ,029, 900 bushels,
cutting the probable crop to 1907
sos 900, compared with 2,343 ,883 900
last year and an average OF 2,516,-
307 900 in l927-193l.
Wheat Improves.
Wheat prospects improved during
the month due to larger yields than
expected in the Winter wheat belt.
The estimate increased by 1928 900
bushels, from 483 ,662 900 on July to
400, ,960, 900 on August /. This report
came as surprise, as &c decline had
been expected.
The oats crop suffered severely,
dropping from q prospective SCI, ,839,-
900 bushels on July to 545 ,345, 900
on August /, a decline Of 22,494, 900.
The dry siege. both directly and
indirectly, is rapidly pairing the Ma
tion'S meat supply. Millions Of cattle
and sheep are being bought by the
Government, both because they are
cfo V1nru from lopk 0f faad and
water and also because there will be
no feed for them in the months to
come.
All in all, crop prospects as a
whole declined II per cent from the
July estimate, made on the basis of
conditions July /, with the estimate
yesterday made on August 1 pros
poets.
Wheat Far Below Average.
The wheat crop, If Government
z per cent below the 1888 crop of
527, ,978, 900 bushels and almost IS per
cent lower than the 1927-31 average
of 886 1856, 900 bushels.
In the Southern section Of the
drought belt, the crop report said,
some early corn developed ears be-
fore the drought became severe and
around the outer margin of the area
some fields escaped serious damage.
However, it added, "over most of
this area, corn has reached the tas-
selling without forming ears and in
many fields the corn is drying up be-
fore more than a small fraction OF
the usual yield of fodder has been
produced"
Regarding the general outlook, the
report said, growing conditions are
poor practically everywhere except
along the Atlantic Coast, in the East
ern Cotton Belt and in the Pacific
Northwest
I'm q large area that includes most
of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas,
the Dakotas and some ad-
joining portions of Arkansas Illinois,
Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, wyoming,
Colorado and New Mexico, all grow
ing crops and pastures were seriously
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