Evening star., 1945-04-05

to a remedy for black markets, the
Montanan said he was afraid there
would be black market "as long
as we have shortage and people have
plenty of money"
Carl H. Wilken, Sioux City, Iowa
agricultural economist, told the
committee he questioned seriously
whether there are 82,000,000 cattle
In the United States as has been
reported by War Food Administra-
ton officials.
Assuming the figure is correct,
he added, it is misleading.
Asserting about half are dairy cat
tie, Mr.. Wilken estimated there are
no more than 100000 which can
be marketed for beef
Mr.. Wilken contended Govern
ment officials have overestimated
this countrys food producing power
and made wild promises" to other
| nations.
For 10 years before the war, he
said, this country had been import
ing food.
The food-producing power has not
kept up with the population, he ar
gued, saying that since 1910 har-
vested acreage has increased 10 pei
cent and the population 40 per cent
The committee earlier received q
letter from Rhode Islands Governoi
taking sharp issue with OPAs esti-
mate that civilians ate an average
of lat pounds of meat last year.
Gov. j. Howard McGrath said the
Rhode Island Food Advisory Commit.
tee kept records on the meat becom-
ing available there in 1914, and thai
it averaged 109 pounds for each ra-
ton book holder. He said receipts
were still lower this year, falling to a
rate of 30 pounds year for the week
ending March 49, This compared
with War Food Administration fig
ures that current allocations are
about 125 pounds but may DROP
later this year to lis pounds.
Chairman Thomas, commenting or
the letter, said, Everywhere We
turn We run into black market.
He said that if Gov. McGrath's fig
ures are correct they bear out his
contention that large quantities Of
meat are moving in illicit channels
Service Needs Studied.
! The Governors letter was turned
over to the committee by Senator
Green, Democrat, of Rhode Island
1t vas the first statistical report the
committee has received on any large
group of consumers.
1t. Col R. w. Olmstead of the Wal
Food Administration told the Senat,
investigators yesterday that civilians
will find 1945 the most difficult O.
the war" from the sugar standpoint
Col. Olmstead said the compare
tive supply figures are per cent les
than in 1914 and IA per cent les
than the l935-1939 average
The American estimate figure
out at 83 pounds per civilian. even (
little less than civilians in Grea
Britain are due to get.
British Get Increase.
Col. OimSteaC, VINO Is chdlrmal
of WAS ALLEGATIONS Committee
said that in the United Kingdom
the 1945 sugar estimate is due to g
up % per cent over 1914 to sc pound
per capita. This, however, is II pc
cent less than the 1934-l938 average
For Canada. the estimate is s.
pounds. per cent below 1914 ant
II per cent below 1855
Senator Wherry asked Col, Ohm
stead: DO we lease-lend any sugar?
We do to Russia" was the reply
None to Britain?" Senator Wherr,
persisted.
Col Olmstead said that at on
time some sugar did move from tn
Caribbean directly to Britain unde
lease lend, but that he did no
know the full situation as to that
Asked about the prospects of get
ting sugar from the Philippines
a heavy producer in peacetime. Col
Olmstead said he thought it un
likely that any would come from
tIoro hefpro 1QdS