The Bismarck tribune., 1934-08-16
WALLACE Sees NO
CAUSE FOR ALARM
IN j. s. SITUATION
Livestock Feed Rather Than
Human Food Is Crux Of
Orouth Problem
SUPPLIES ON HAND AMPLE
Most Marked Effect Will Be in
Meat; Government Pushes
Processing

'sS~essesoS~seS ee~os
age Of livestock feed, rather than hu-
man food, was described Thursday BY
Secretary Wallace Is the crux Of the
drouth problem. =
He suggested that any shortage in
food could be taken care Of by shift-
ing diets to more abundant products.
supplies are sufficient for the lar
ger part Of the usual American food
requirements" the secretary said at .
press conference.
There is no shortage at al for two
thirds Of the products; and the pros
pective shortage does not exceed 5 to
10 per cent for the larger part Of the
remaining items.
what shortages do exist can be
compensated for by shifts in the diet
to use more Of the foods which are
available in abundance. As q whole,
these shifts can be accomplished with
out any severe burden on consumers
Is to cost, or any material decrease
In the nutritional value Of the diet" !"
Only Modified Diet Needed
With some slight notifications In
diet, Wallace added, there Is "a great
abundance Of food for human beings
despite the worst drouth the nation
has ever had" He said he viewed
this situation as an excellent demon.
stration Of the adaptability Of the
country's agricultural resources.
These conclusions, Wallace said,
were based on estimates Of probable
production plus stocks on hand Of va
rious commodities correlated with diet
studies worked out by the bureau Of
home economies.
I'VE have . prospective supply large
enough to meet average domestic need
for grain products, fluid milk and
cream, citrus fruits and vegetables -
except potatoes and dried legumes-
and sugar." he said. Ordinarily
these foods constitute q large share
Of the diet, furnishing some 81 per
cent Of the calories and about 81 per
cent Of the protein
The supply Of potatoes. fruits.
eggs, lard, and probably butter,
cheese, and evaporated and con-
densed milk will be about 90 to o5
per cent Of the average domestic sup.
ply, according to department esti-
mates. Ordinarily these products fur
nish q per cent Of the calories and
10 per cent Of the protein In the
American diet, Wallace said.
Short Meat Supply Seen
The secretary said the most marked
effect Of the drouth would show In
meat supplies, with ample stocks OF
beef, veal, and mutton for the re-
mainder Of this year but declining
stocks next year.
He added that next years supply
would depend to some extent on how
much meat u preserved by both gov
ernment and home processing. Meat
products ordinarily supply about Is
per cent Of the calories and IS per
cent Of the protein In the average
American diet.
Wallace expressed q belief that es-
Inmates Of drouth damage In terms
Of dollars had been exaggerated. His
own rough calculation Of the damage
placed 1t at several times less than
the $5,000. 900, 900 given by some es-
timators, he said.
The administration Is setting up .
livestock feed committee which win
have charge Of the feed situation In
the drouth area and viii make recon-
mendations on It's use to the depart
ments Of the government dealing
with the drouth problem, he said.
A statement Of policy concerning
livestock feed buying by federal gov
ernment may be expected within .
few days, the secretary added.
In preventing undue price increases
In foods the secretary said that the
administration will study it, "com.
modify by commodity" and II undue
price increases are found, the best
method Of meeting the situation will
be decided.
He predicted in some cases pub
licity similar to that used on bread
prices . year ago would b sufficient
The secretary reiterated President
Rooeevelt,s warning that the admin
istration will keep Z careful watch
on grain SPECTATORS and seek By
every means possible to prevent ex-
cessive speculation.
No decision has been reached on
exactly what adjustments may Be
made In tho AAA1 program for next
year, wallace said.