Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-11
Huge '48Crops
To BoostECA
Export Goals
Record Corn Estimates
Raise Hope of Meat
Price Cuts in '4o
By Cholmers M. Roberts

Bumper crop prospects in the
United States will result in "ap-
probably larger" grain exports
to Marshall Plan nations than
had been estimated previously,
the Economic Cooperation Ad-
ministration said today.
D. A. FITZGERALD, head of ECA's
Food Division, told press confer
ence. however, he thought the
larger export goals would make
very little difference" in grain
prices in this country. The Amer
lean housewives hope for lower
food prices at home hinges largely
on the expected all-time high grain
crops, especially the record corn
crop predicted yesterday by the
Agriculture Department.
Mr.. FITZGERALD said 1t is reason
able to assume" that grain exports
from this Nation will be "appreci-
ably larger than originally esti-
mated. But, he added. it is i'm
possible at this time to set definite
export goals. The first estimate was
for wheat exports of between u.s.
100000 and 300,0O0O00 bushels to
the Marshall Plan nations. Even
the new higher figure, however, is
expected to be below last years
all-time record exports of about
375,000,000 bushels of wheat from
the United States.
No Meat Exported.
ECA is not now exporting any
meet, except horse meat, and has
no intention of altering this pro-
gram, Mr.. FITZGERALD said.
The larger export program as well
as the hope for eventual. relief at
home from high prices, especially
for meats, lies chiefly in the corn
crop prospects. The Agriculture De-
partment estimate, released yester-
day, was for 3,5O0,363, 600 bushel
crop, up as per cent from last year
and Is per cent larger than the
average as well as per cent above
the previous all-time record es-
tablished in 1916.
Government experts and econo-
mists generally believe the larger
corn crop. much of which goes for
livestock feed, will show UP in lower
pork prices in a matter of months.
although beef prices probably will
not be affected until next spring
at the earliest or perhaps later.
Grain Price Down.
Mr.. FITZGERALD said the larger
ECA exports, if the crop prospects
are borne out and the shipments
actually made during the fiscal year
ending June 80, will cost the Gov
eminent 'little If any more. than
earlier estimates. This is because
grain prices already have fallen
from their January highs to figures
approximating the Government
price support levels. Thus ECA will
get more for each dollar it spends.
In discussing the world food sit
uation, the ECA food expert said
crop prospects generally are better
everywhere and that taken to-
gether with the larger shipments
now anticipated will result in
moderate or appreciate improve
ment" in the diet of Europeans.
I'VE have passed the low point
in our postwar food supply situa-
ton" Mr.. FITZGERALD said, adding
that the bumper prospects appeared
to have taken "the sharpest edge
off our international food problem"
Europe's Needs Explained.
In answer to the questions which
he himself asked-why ship SO
much in view of better crop pros
poets abroad-Mr. FITZGERALD point
ed out that European crops are still
below prewar figures while popula-
ton has risen by 25,000,000, about
10 per cent.
Meanwhile, the American Meat
Institute issued in Chicago this
cautious prediction on the basis OF
the crop forecast:
IF the crop natures and is
! harvested, as now seems likely, it
will mean more adequate supplies
Of livestock and, consequently, meat
next year and the year after; as
Stunning, of course, that producers
are not hampered by uncertainties
which would be threatened by arti-
fetal restrictions and controls" The
institute was a leader in fighting
meat price controls and rationing
as proposed at the recent special
session of Congress and turned
down by the Republicans.
The institute added:
IF the huge corn crop could i'm
mediately be turned into meat, we
would have the basis for furnishing
the largest per capital meat con-
sumption on record-about IS to 20
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