Evening star., 1946-05-14
Fourth Of Wheat
Crop Slated for
u. 5. Requisition
To Be Set Aside at
Elevators for Relief;
No Date for Action
By Malcolm Lomborne, Jr.

Secretary of Agriculture AM
derSon today disclosed the Gov
ernment plans to requisition, in
effect, at least one-fourth of
this years estimated 100000
0o0-bushel wheat crop for FAM
inc relief.
Although the Secretary's statement
did not term the wheat buying pro-
gram as requisitioning, a department
spokesman said the pending order
would be that lin effect" The
action will not apply to farm-stored
wheat, but to elevators, warehouse
men, merchandisers and other COM
mercial buyers
simultaneously, Sterilization Di-
rector BoWles told press conference
he will recommend restoration Of
rationing if the world food situa-
ton "gets tighter" He added that
I'VE will know better in 80 to 90
days as to what should be done"
The wheat buying plan-one Of
nine points outlined by Mr.. Ander-
son for distribution of wheat stocks
during the 1867 marketing year
will require a farmer delivering
wheat to grain elevator for storage
to sell at least one-half of his stock.
The buyer, in turn, will be required
to sell one-half of the amount he
buys from the farmer to the Gov
ernment.
To Continue Extraction Rate.
Under the program the Govern
ment thus would ea1mark at least
$50 900, 900 bushels for foreign ship
ment, and MI. Anderson pointed
out that it would remain in effect
until the Government has control
OF enough wheat from the 1916 crop
| to cover export requirements
The Secretary also said the Gov
eminent plans to continue during
the 1867 marketing year the 80
per cent extraction rate required by
flour millers and served notice that
no wheat will be used in brewing or
distilling during. the II months be-
ginning July l.
Also, on July l, millers will be
allowed to produce IS per cent as
much flour as was distributed in the
corresponding month of 1945. At
the present time, millers are limited
to rs per cent of production a year
ago.
Order Being Prepared.
Mr.. Anderson set no date for
placing of the requiSitioning plan
into effect. but department spokes-
man said an order was now being
prepared.
The world crop for this year is
still uncertain, but we must do some
definite planning now Mr.. Ander-
son declared. The reports former
President Hoover has made show
clearly that there will be great need
for continued heavy shipments CT
United States wheat during July
and August"
Mr.. BoWles observed that L don't
think the situation is tight enough
now, but if it gets tighter 1 think
We should put it rationing on"
He mentioned meat, butter, cheese,
and possibly bread as foods it might
NC IlSCeSSdTv 10 TdClOn.
Would Aid Fair Distribution.
The stabilization director said
rationing would assure fairer dis
tribution of food in this country if
overseas commitments cut deeply
into the total supply.
Mr.. Bowles' statement came a
day after Mr.. Hoover had indicated
that rationing was unnecessary.
Mr.. Hoover was to meet today
with the Presidents Famine Emer-
gency Committee and is expected
to press for an intensified voluntary
food conservation program, partic-
ularly in public eating places.
The former President, who is hon.
orary chairman of the committee,
believes American householders are