Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Continued From First Page )

1t. Gen. Brehon B. Somervell's Serv-
ices of Supply again is involved.
President Roosevelt, in giving Mr..
Wickard sweeping control over pro-
ducing and distributing food for do
nestle and overseas use, authorized
and directed him to purchase and
procure food for such Federal agen-
cies and to such extent as he shall
determine necessary or desirable,
and promulgate policies to govern
the purchase ond procurement of
food by all other Federal agencies"
Fear Defuge From Surplus.
That, in effect. gives the Secretary
the power to fix the diet Of the SOL
diers, sailors and marines, and what
service officers are afraid of, the
sensational informant said, is that
the department might try to provide
them with an overabundance Of food
from few surplus crops.
Secretary Wickard announced at
a press conference realignment of
the Agriculture Department In keep
ing with the Presidents executive
order which gave him full respon-
sibility for. and control over, the
Nations food program.
The department is regrouped into
three major administrative units
Food Production Administration,
Food Distribution Administration
and Agricultural Research Admin
istration. The first two are new
agencies. Herbert w. Parisius, Jas
sociate director of the ONCE of
Agricultural War Relations, was
named director of food production.
Clifford M. Townsend, administra-
tor of the Agricultural Conservation
and Adjustment Administration.
was made associate director.
Mr.. Wickard designated Roy F.
Hendrickson, administrator of the
Agricultural Marketing Administra-
ton, as director Of food distribution.
Clarence w. Kitchen, associate ad-
ministrator of ANA. was appointed
assistant director of food distribu-
ton
Mr.. Wickard declared he was most
concerned with the shortage of farm
machinery, particularly harvesting
equipment. During a tour OF the
country from which he just re-
turned, Mr.. Wickard declared, he
saw soy beans, corn and sugar beets
unharvested "in the snow for lack
of machinery to do the work. He
said he would have further discus
sions with the WPB heads in the
effort to obtain more materials for
machinery.
Prices Effective Wednesday.
New ceiling prices for beef car
cases and wholesale cuts announced
by OPA will become effective De-
cember 16. In many instances the
new prices will represent increases
over current maXimums. On the
average, it was said, high-grade beef
In Kansas City may rise about Ia
cents per pound. At the same time.
prices of packers and wholesalers
with abnormally high ceilings will
be rolled back, to relieve squeeze
on those with low ceilings which has
put some out of business.
OPA hopes the new arrangement
also will assure more even distrl-
button of beef among retail stores.
The supply situation in areas where
low prices have prevailed is expect
ed to improve
The new order is expected to
benefit small packing houses in cities
removed from major production
areas ard place Army and Navy
buying on the same level as civilian
buying, thereby eliminating the
competitive advantage enjoyed by
big packers who have been able to
handle large volumes of war bust
ness.
Sides of beef must be cut to OPA
specifications, to make sure that
ceilings will have the same mean
ing everywhere and eliminate eva
sion by "miscutting. To prevent
selling of lower grade beef at the
price of higher grade. agriculture
experts will be at packing houses to
grade 1t.
Confident Of Public Aid.
Mr.. Wickard said an important
part of his Job of food administrator
would be to keep the public, especial
" the housewife, aware of the stu
alton at all times. He declared that
the people will be glad to Coop
crate if you tell them what to do
and what's back of it He added
that this applies particularly when
shortages occur and rationing is
necessary.
The Secretary said that Chairman
Paul v. McNutt of the War Man
power Commission will retain re-
sponsibility for making available a
supply of farm labor, with Agri-
culture handling the training and
transportation of workers.
There will be no attempt at this
time, he predicted. to stabilize farm
wages, since the pay of those work
ers is low As compared to other
industries. Any attempt to hold
down farm wages. ne said, will make
the work less attractive and the
labor situation more acute.