Evening star., 1947-10-16
President Blasts
Grain Gambling,
Reveals Inquiry
Wheat Crop Traded
In 8 or 9 Times,
Trumon Declares

"oooy oAioo AVuO1ICy 1CIlCI dl
Clark is investigating gambling
on the commodity exchanges,
particularly in grain and fibers.
Mr. Truman declared at a news
conference that there was a ire
mendous amount of exchange
gambling on grain and fibers. But
he said he was not certain whether
the Attorney General was taking
grand jury action, as has been done
in the case of livestock, or was pro-
ceeding along another path.
In a stern manner, Mr.. Truman
attributed much of increased food
costs to gambling on the commodity
exchanges. He said that the wheat
crop had been traded in eight or
nine times on the Chicago Board of
Trade alone.
Foreign Aid Small Factor.
Questioned by reporters as to
whether Government purchases for
foreign relief are largely responsible
for prevailing high prices, the Presi-
dent said while this buying has had
some effect it is not considerable.
He added that the United States
always has exported a third or more
OF its wheat crop.
In response to another question,
the President said Mr.. Clark took
up the exchanges investigation on
his own initiative. Asked if the
investigation also includes meat, he
said that meat isn't traded on the
commodity exchanges.
Mr.. Truman expressed confidence
in the future of the food conserva-
ton program and when asked if
some thought would be given to
the reimposition of wartime controls
-rationing and price controls-if
the voluntary plan failed, Mr.. Tru-
man said that was a bridge that
would be crossed when he came to 1t.
The economic discussion was
touched off when a reporter asked
il the White House cancellation
of State dinners this year was an
attempt to set national example
in food conservation.
Voluntary Step.
Mr.. Truman responded no. that
it was voluntary step taken by
Mrs. Truman and himself with the
idea that it might save food des-
perately needed by Europeans just
as the cancellation of formal func-
tions did in wartime.
Asked about the response of State
Governors to requests for aid in the
sfoodsdrive, MI, Truman said % or
"a Governors have answered the,
Presidents communication and that
all have pledged their cooperation.
That, the President continued.
makes him believe that the food
program is we'll on the way to
success.
The Chief Executive said the
whole program of saving food was
an emergency undertaking He said
he knows some people feel they have
been imposed on, but that the situa-
ton called for action and it was
impossible to consult with those in
terested before something was done.
Smooth Program Sought.
Now, he continued, an effort Is
being made to work out what he
called the bugs" in the program by
the Citizens Food Committee.
The President emphasized that
the administration is trying to get
free enterprise Nation to do VOL
UNFAIRLY what has been done by
police-state methods elsewhere.
A reporter wanted to know if he
considered rationing and price con-
troll police-state methods. The
President replied that he certainly
did, that any control imposed on
the people is police control
Wartime restrictions, he contin-
ued. we're dictated by an emergency.
The Citizens Food Committee
went ahead. meanwhile, seeking
final food saving agreements with
the Nations bakers and brewers.
Conferences Planned.
Chairman Charles Luckman
planned conferences with both
groups IN the hope of working out
ways for the bakers to save 5000 900
bushels of grain month and the
brewers an amount described only
as substantial"
Representatives of the two indus
tries held long talks with Mr.. Luck
man and his aides yesterday. and an
(See FOOD. Page A-4,)