Evening star., 1947-07-06

Another fact of special signifi-
canoe in connection with the years
export operations is that it was
possible TO make the very heavy
shipments abroad without depriv-
ing our own people of any needed
food supplies, and without any un-
necessary or serious impact on the
domestic economy. To the full ex-
tent that 1t has been possible to do
so under rapidly changing condi-
tions and needs. advance notice has
been given on all programs and ex-
port plans.
ALLEGATIONS have been announced
in advance. Government purchases
| for export have been announced
regularly. This has been done to
give both producers and food hand
lers all possible information on
operations-to remove or minimize
any uncertainties which might en-
courage speculation or result in up
set conditions in domestic markets.
Our people, of course, have con-
tinued to eat at record or near
record levels-well above prewar
average.
THE WORLD NEED FOR UNITED
STATES SUPPLIES.
A year ago, it was generally I'm
derstood that continuing large i'm
ports of food would be an absolute
necessity in many countries which
were still struggling to overcome
the effects of war. Food stocks were
very low in large parts of continen-
tai Europe-particularly in Ger
many, Austria, Italy, and Romania
and in the deficit producing
countries of the Far East. In these
areas, production facilities-work
animals, implements, fertilizer, and
seed-were inadequate. Transporta-
ton systems were disrupted, which
added to distribution problems
Most serious, months and years OF
malnutrition had brought human
vitality to low ebb.
Fortunately, and in sharp con-
trast to the desperate needs abroad
the food supply situation In the
United States was very favorable
for the 1946-47 year. Our American
farmers, responding to the call OF
the Government for high-goal pro-
duction, turned out record total food
supplies last year. The 1916 wheat
crop, at 1,156 million bushels, set
an all-time record. The corn crop,
at 3,288 million bushels, also was a
new high. Totals for many other
crops and livestock products were
also held at levels far above the
prewar average.
This contrast between abundant
food supplies in the United States
and serious deficits in many other
areas of the world formed the broad
background of the situation at the
time you appointed this committee
(the Cabinet Committee on World
Food Programs) last September. We
were faced with the challenge OF
shipping out all the food supplies
which we could spare, and which
could be exported practically. At
that time we knew that the situa-
ton in many countries abroad was
getting worse instead of better. They
were being forced to revise upward
their earlier estimates Of minimum
food import needs.
u, 8. Shipments Jagged.
At the same time, our shipments
had been tagging behind the desired
schedules. There were no serious
troubles with procurement, but the
1916 maritime strike and inland
Transportation difficulties had
slowed down the movement OF ex-
port supplies. More positive CO.
ordination and direction of the ma
tional food export effort was needed.
That was the job you assigned to
this committee.
1t was obvious that success in this
tremendous national undertaking
would depend upon the cooperation
of all public and private agencies
and services involved. This Coop
grafton was given in full measure.
AS already mentioned, American
farmers contributed the record pro-
duction which was the basis for all
subsequent accomplishments. The
armed services, the civilian DEPART
ments of the Government and in
ternational food agencies worked
together as team in planning and
carrying out the export operations.
They were backed solidly by the CO.
operative efforts of professors, dis
tributors and transportation agen-
cies.
We should like to record special
appreciation of the invaluable serv-
ices rendered by the office of the
co-ordinator of emergency reports,
which you established last Decem-
Der at the recommendation of this
committee, under the very able di-
rection of Capt. Granville Conway.
This Office has co-ordinated all ex-
port transportation and shipping
activities. Using priority authority
when necessary, Capt. Conway re-
ceived the most complete co-opera-
ton and assistant from Col. j.
Monroe Johnson, director of ODT;
from officials of the Maritime Com
mission, and from other interested
agencies in breaking transportation
jams and directing the steady use of
facilities without which it would not
have been possible to move the record
volume of food exports.
LOOK AHEAD.
Today, almost two years after the
fighting stopped, We know that the
food relief job is still unfinished.
War devastated areas, we have
learned, recover slowly. Production
materials must be supplied. Trans
portation and storage facilities must
be repaired or replaced. Above all,
human vitality must be restored.
On top of the war devastation, still
not overcome, the terrible weather
in Northern Europe during the past
winter reduced crop prospects there.
1t is apparent that substantial
food exports from the United States
and other surplus producing coun-
tries will be needed for many
months to come. The total volume
which Is shipped from the United
States during the year will depend
upon a number of factors, including
! itranSnortation financial arranoe.