Evening star., 1945-06-11
Corn Crop Prospects
Uncertain, Anderson
Survey Tour Reveals
BY the Associated Press.

OMAHA, June ll.-Clinton P. An
derson came to the corn belt today
to find that the weather may add
new complications to his task OF
combating food shortages even be-
fore he becomes the Nations food
boss next month.
Leading the House Food Investi-
eating Committee, of which he is
chairman, on crosS-country in
spection tour, President Trumans
ewly-designated Secretary of Ag-
riculture and war food admins
TRAITOR found the Midwest with its
fingers crossed on corn crop pros
poets.
The committee, which begins
hearings here today, is expected to
complete its inquiry this week and
then return to Washington to make
Its final report. There are indica-
tions that it will be disbanded next
month when Chairman Anderson
enters the cabinet.
Critical of Food Policies.
From Omaha the committee will
90 to Minneapolis, then on to
Yakima, Wash, Seattle, San Fran
cisco and Los Angeles.
During its long investigations, the
committee frequently has been crit
1cal of administration policies in
dealing with the wartime food sit
uation.
There is no limit on the life of
the committee which grew out of
resolution authorized by Mr.. Ander-
son. but several things point to its
approaching demise.
Cd When it completes the present
Western trip the group will have in
quired into every phase of the food
problem 1t will have made specific
reports on the meat situation, the
sugar shortage and the food outlook
in general.
90 Speaker Rayburn, who would
have the job of filling the chairman
ship vacancy, has frequently ex-
pressed opposition to long-lived in
vestigating committees. Mr.. Ray
burn might feel that the commit
tees next general report is broad
enough and general enough to wind
up the special investigation.
Would Cut Meat Supply.
A short corn crop would mean less
meats, poultry, eggs, milk and other
livestock products next year rather
than the increased supplies being
sought for unprecedented domestic,
military and foreign relief, demands.
A cool, wet spring has delayed
planting of this vital crop in many
parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky
and Iowa.
Even as the committee Travelled
here from Washington to hold a
hearing on the food situation, new
rains fell to cause additional de-
lays.
Wet fields, some partially flooded,
could be seen from train windows.
At Chicago, Mr.. Anderson was
told by Ralph Budd, president of
the Burlington Railroad, that the
delay was creating much concern
through Midwestern hog, cattle,
dairy and poultry producing regions.
Still Time for Crop.
Similar reports were gathered
along the route. They made clear,
however, that there still was time
to get a good corn crop-providing |
rains let up soon and an early fall
frost does not come along to hit
the grain before it is fully matured
One of the chief reasons for the
committee visit to the corn belt
was to determine whether farmers
need additional Government assist
ance in the form of financial incen-
tives, labor and future market as
surances.
Mr.. Anderson said any plans he
might have in mind affecting pres
ent livestock programs will have to
be held in allegiance until he can
get better idea on corn and other
livestock feed production prospects.