Evening star., 1943-02-14
Thomas Sees Drop
OF 10 10 15pct. in
u. 5. Food Supplies
Says Stute- -by-Stote
Check Shows Output
Will Decline Generally
By the Associated Press.


Senator Thomas, Democrat OF
Oklahoma. said yesterday that q
state-by- state check of farm pro-
duction prospects indicated an aver
age drop of 10 TO Is per cent this
year in American food supplies.
With Secretary of Agriculture
Wickard demanding an increase of
30 per cent in food production above
the 1859 level, you can see where
we are" the Oklahoman told
reporters.
And the authorities here appar-
entity are no more concerned about
1t than l am about conditions on
Mars. The War Department seems
TO take it for granted that enough
food will be forthcoming, just like
water and air
Senator Thomas. a member of the
Senate Appropriation Subcommit-
tee investigating manpower short
ages, sent letters to all state COM
missioners of agriculture, inquiring
about acreageS to be planted and
general production prospects.
All Expect Drops.
Almost all the commissioners
said they expected yields consid-
erably below last year, ranging
from an expected per cent drop
in Rhode Island to 40 per
cent reduction in Georgia, Senator
Thomas said.
All the replies laid stress on a,
shortage of farm labor, caused by
men going into the armed services
or high-pay war industry jobs, and
on reductions in the supply Of farm
machinery and spare parts. The
commissioners also agreed it was
hardly probable that growing con-
ditions would be as favorable as
those which brought last years
bumper harvestS, Senator Thomas
said.
The Michigan commissioner, how
ever, said he expected 1943 yields
in general would be about the same
as last year, and Vermont reported
that given manpower, sufficient
machinery and favorable weather,
the 1912 level could be maintained,
General Decrease Seen.
From these replies" Senator
Thomas asserted, 1T is conserva-
tive to say that the general de-
crease will run from 10 to IS per
cent, with only few States up
to 1912. If these commissioners
don't know what the crop prospects
~
He said his survey would be made
available to the subcommittee.
Here are some of the estimates.
by States, which Senator Thomas
said he received:
Kansas-10 to Is per cent reduc-
ton likely account inadequate labor
and machinery.
TeXas-Acreage down Is per cent,
estimated production down more
than Is per cent. Cattle and sheep
going to market unfinished account
proteini shortage.
Prospects Good.
Pennsylvania Should average
as good or better than last
year. Two per cent reduction in grain
and vegetable crops, per cent in
crease in milk and eggs, truck crops
up per cent. e $3.50
Missouri-Yield an acre not eX-
rected to be as large as last year
Washington - General reduction
Milk production increase
indicated. Many small farms have
ceased operations.
New Mexico-Twelve to Is per
cent reduction expected. Thirty
five to SIS per cent of farm labor has
gone to war or war industries.
Delaware-Acreage reduced, and
production expected to be 10 to Is
per cent short. even with favorable
West Virginia-Twenty to 30 per
cent decrease in food production.
Worst farm labor situation we
ever had"
Ohio" Reduction inevitable, some
authorities say 80 per cent" Survey
last October showed farm labor sup
ply only AZ per cent Of normal. Some
crops remained unharvested.