Evening star., 1946-05-02
La Guardia Pins Hope
0fMeeting Re|iefCa|
On Big Wheat Crop
By Malcolm Lomborne, Jr.

UNRRA Director General La
Guardia said today he had to
share Secretary of Agriculture
Anderson's optimism over pros
poets for meeting United States
wheat goals for famine relief
because "it's the only hope"
Mr.. La Guardia's statement was
prompted by a news conference
question whether he agreed with
Mr.. Anderson that the United States
will meet its goal of 6,0O0,00 tons
of relief wheat and flour by July /.
At the same time, Francis B. Sayre,
diplomatic adviser to UNRRA, re-
ported on results of UNRRA mis-
sions recently undertaken to Latin
America and Denmark, declaring
that II never met with such uni
versal support" Mr.. Sayre told of
success in getting UNRRA legisla-
ton in some Latin American coun-
tries out of committees and passed
by the legislatures.
Typical of his performance in
South America was the result of
talks with Cuban officials. The
Cuban government promised con-
tribution valued at $6,0O0,000, in
cluding an immediate cash payment
for 10000 tons of sugar previously
bought by UNRRA, contribution of
an additional 10000 tons of the
1945 sugar crop and the payment
of $1,000,0 900 in cash for immediate
purchase of foodstuffs for Europe.
Mr.. La Guardia confirmed earlier
reports of a gift OF 100000 pounds
of wheat flour from United Distil-
lers, Inc, of Baltimore.
He disclosed that q loan arrange
ment is being worked out with the
Swiss and Belgian governments for
shipment of grain to Austria where
the need is very great. Belgium, for
instance, has barley which 1t does
not normally use, but which can be
used in Austria.
Four ships loaded with grain have
left Argentina, two more are now
loading and another % ships are on
their way to pick up Argentine grain,
he said, after expressing confidence
that country would meet its $780,
000-ton wheat goal.
Earlier. the Famine Emergency
Committee appealed for stepped
up community campaigns to con-
serve food for relief as Secretary
Ardercoy, v,,orpod }ho{ tho oaad for
conservation will continue through
the remainder of this year.
The committee directed its ap-
peal to the Nations mayors who
were asked to set up local famine
emergency units to enlist the ef-
forts of community leaders. The
District already has such an or
ganization functioning as the Wash
ington Food Conservation Com
mittee.
Foreign Purchases to Continue.
Mr.. Anderson's statement on the
need for conservation in homes and
public. eating places came at a press
conference late yesterday in which
he expressed his optimism over this
country's meeting its wheat goal by
July l, despite tagging shipments
| now.
The Agriculture Department an
nounced it will continue to make
food purchases for foreign govern
ments after July l because of the
current food crisis. Purchases would
be for countries not eligible for
UNRRA aid but able to pay this
country for supplies.
President Truman late yesterday
asked Congress to appropriate $780,
900, 900 previously authorized for
UNRRA for the 1916 fiscal year. In
a letter accompanying the Presi-
dents message, Budget Director
Harold D. Smith said UNRRA is in
urgent need of additional funds at
this time in order to continue its
program"
Another development yesterday
was an indication from Secretary of
Commerce Wallace that he and
UNRRA Director General La
Guardia had worked out differences
over operation of the emergency
food collection campaign, of which
Mr.. Wallace Is national chairman.
This drive is scheduled to get under
way May IL throughout the coun-
try.
Earlier, the Agriculture Depart
ment reported that butter available
last month through established
channels reached "the most acutely
short stage thus far" reported. Re-
ceipts in the four larger, butter mar
kets-Chicago, New York, Phila-
delphia and Boston-were said to
be the lightest for any month in
more than ~ years.
Keen ROlli71' NTH NOLnn"