The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-10

uerSOIl 5 uuIHdSlC WdnQ Will De only
as long as Mr.. Truman decides when
Anderson tries to do something from
now on.
That Anderson cannot do
much is the common conclusion
of intimates Of the problem.
When the supply and distribu-
ton system is once broken
down, as ours has been, long and
powerful mending is required to
get it going again.
Anderson is working not only in
delicate price-help-machinery con-
dition, but to restore a system dis
rupted by years of abusive regula-
tons. That is only half of it. The
food system is not only war weary,
and heavily laden with disruptive
regulation; it is now dominated ex-
tensively by the black market, an
invisible but powerful force.
For example, the corn-hog ratio
has been fixed high enough now by
Washington to stimulate pork pro-
duction But that result has not fol-
lowed. Pig production prospects are
definitely down despite Washington
pulling of the main spring which
was supposed to send them up.
These considerations furnish only
a fast glance at how high the cards
are stacked against Mr.. Anderson.
This is all anyone of authority
really hopes for, although the pub
11c IA
daily prospects that everything is
going to become better and better.
CROP OUTLOOK MIXED
Crop prospects are mixed. The
wheat outlook is splendid, corn
doubtful. So the publicity mills are
playing the wheat prospects, ig-
noring corn. Yet if you will look
into the weekly farm weather bulle-
tins, you will find much corn has
not been planted at this late date,
due to weather. Much has rotted
and been replanted.
Vegetables, outside the Florida
area, are hopeful. Apples were
ruined by March warmth and cold,
which factor also hurt the citrus
fruits seriously.
Eggs are getting shorter and
shorter. The increased civilian
ALLEGATIONS Of poultry for six
border states will not solve the
poultry situation for them, or
anyone. Poultry deficiencies are
really due to the meat shortage,
and will continue as long as it
does.
The better June marketing figures
for beef will not ease the meat stu
alton, as the army is still taking so
to go per cent of all meat available
for interstate commerce. Beef, how
ever, will be somewhat more easily
available, due to better local slaugh-
ter.ng arrangements in some areas.
Now as to wheat, the most favor
ahe produce, one of Anderson's first
acts was to keep acreage requests
u farmers for 1916 about the same
as now. Specifically this may APP
pear a doubtful move. especially as
the government simultaneously an
bounced it expected to increase ship
menus 10 Europe.
The inner truth Of the matter
Is not much can be shipped to
Europe, because ships are not
available. Most bottoms already
have gone to the Pacific to sup
ply our armies. Secondly, we
have a carry-0ver Of $50 million
bushels Of wheat.
Added to our expected production
Of 1,085 million bushels, this will
give US more than 1,400 million
bushels at the end of this crop year,
and we need normally at home only
$50 million bushels. So Anderson has
played wheat reasonably safe.
The increase in rye acreage for
1916 anticipates more for whisky
and rye bread, the outlook for these
two minor matters Of living being
exceptionally bright.
As for corn (meaning hogs and to
some extent cattle), no one will
know much what we will have be-
fore fall and next years acreage on
that will be announced after a sur
vey of the marketing situation then.
No new farm machinery Except
ing harvesters) win be available UNI
til fall, and the greatest need Is for
planters and cultivators. The dis
charge plans Of the army win not
be sufficient to solve the farm labor
problem this year.
Frankly. would not want Mr.. An
derson's job.