Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 157, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1918 — INDIANA FOOD ADMINISTRATION [ARTICLE]

INDIANA FOOD ADMINISTRATION

STATE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE PUBLICITY ISSUES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. *. « In an effort to clear up the confusion and misunderstandings that lave caused irregularities in the irices offered and paid for wheat in ndian, Dr. Harry E. Barnard, federal 'pod administrator for Indiana, at the request and following a conference with Governor James P. Goodrich, Chairman Michael E. Foley, A. E. Reynolds and E. M. Wilson, of the ; ndiana Stajte Council of Defense, prepared th following statement for distribution among those interested:

The Price of Wheat <7 Much confusion exists among farm- . ers and grain dealers concerning the : Government regulations for handling the present wheat crop. The Federal Food Administration for Indiana has been requested by the State Council of Defense to issue a bulletin setting.. at rest the public mind on this subject. All of the regulations in force on handling last year’s crop have been rescinded, and in their stead a few very simple rules only are necessary to control the handling of grain. Prices The minumum price of $1 wheat is fixed by the U. S. Grain Corporation under authority given by Act of Congress. This price, as fixed for this vicinity, at present is $2.26, delivered in the elevator at Chicago. For No. 2 wheat a discount of 3c

is fixed. For No. 3 wheat a discount of 7c from No. lis fixed. Lower qualities and sample wheat sell at discount according to value. The prevailing opinion that a definite price has been fixed which grain dealers shall pay and at which farmers must sell is wrong. No such authority as to fixing prices is given to anyone. Grain dealers can pay to farmers any price they choose—provided however, it is $2.00 or more per bu. Owners of wheat can sell to anybody and ship to any point without consent of the Government. Grain dealers are not allowed to store and hold wheat in their elevators for a period longer than 30 days, without the consent of the Food Administrator. Grain dealers must buy wheat on Government grades. These grades, while more lenient than those Under which wheat has heretofore been handled, does introduce one-new and important element, that of the moisture' test.

Wheat, with a high moisture content will not grade, and will sell at a very heavy discount. Farmer* The farmer should not thresh his wheat wet. If he does he will be subject to heavier discounts than ever before. Elevator Men The elevator men are compelled, under their Government license to obey Government Inspection Rules. They have no option in the matter. Buying Margin* or Profiteering The U. S. Grain Corporation has made it absolutely plain and positive that no profiteering will be permitted in handling grain on this crop. What .i* Profiteering? The Administration has defined profiteering as the taking of a greater profit on business transactions than was normally received on such transactions before the war. The expenses of handling grain are of course, much greater than before the war and the buying margins can, therefore, be ligitimately increased to meet such extra expenses. The Food Administration of Indiana does not undertake to say that five cents or seven cents per bushel for handling wheat is profiteering. We have had complaints that margains as high as 10c per bushel have been asked. We have no hesitancy in saying that it is our judgment that the Government would consider this margin as profiteering, and any dealer taking any such toll is liable to have his license cancelled. We want to drive home the following facts: Ist. No authority is given anyone to fix a definite price on wheat. 2nd. The Government has fixed a minimum price which the farmer must receive. 3rd. The grain dealer must buy wheat on Government * inspection rules. 4th. These rules provide a moisture test. . sth. If wheat is threshed wet, it will be subject to heavy discount. ,7th. The Government is the sole arbiter as to what constitutes profiteering. Bth. Any grain dealer guilty of profiteering will have his license revoked. 9th. Any dealer having his license revoked or refusing to operate.bis elevator as usual is liable to have,the elevator taken over and operated by the Government. . 10th. Fair, honest, patriotic farmers and grain dealers have nothing to fear either from the Indiana department or from the U. S. Food Administration.