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Trucks lack drivers « According to the Office of Defense TVauisportation, 

 the trucking situation in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin is adyersely affected he- 

 cause of the lack of drivers. They estinflte that over 6 percent of the motor carriers 

 are idle in these states and that the monthly loss of freight movement is about 

 250,000 tons. 



Less evaporated milk to civilians . Ifeder an allocation announced hy the 

 War Food AdTnlnistration February 6', civilians will receive less evaporated and con- 

 densed milk than in 19^3 • However, the rate will be about the same as for the second 

 half of 19*^3. The total amount available' will be as follows: civilians, 55 .percent; 

 military services; 28 percent; lend-lease, Red Cross and foreien relief, Ik percent; 

 emergency reserve, 5 percent. Total available to civilians, 1,931 million pounds. 



CCC to sell surplus wool . Government agencies have p-urchased all domestic 

 wool as well as importing large quantities. It is now reported that the Commodity 

 Credit Corporation pleuis to sell rather large stocks of domestic wool. The unsold 

 stocks of domestic wool on January 1 were 52 million pounds. We also have a stock- 

 pile of foreign wool of 330 million pounds. Undoubtedly in spite of these surpluses 

 the government will continue to bxjy the domestic production at steady prices and take 

 care of our commitments in connection with foreign wool. We are obliged to carry a 

 rather large stockpile as a military precaution; However, it is expected that mill 

 operations will continue at a rather high level, and woolens should become more 

 plentiful for civilians. 



Farm loans conservative . Both the Fana Credit Administration and the Farm 

 Security Administration have been emphasizing the necessity of keeping loans for the 

 purchase of farm land at a canservative level in order to help prevent a run-away In- 

 flatlcHi in farmland prices. The present trends in land prices are almost identical 

 with those during World War I, although Investigators point out that present trans- 

 actions are not highly speculative in nature. A substeuitial fraction of purchases 

 are made on a cash basis. Although lending agencies cannot have much influence on 

 prices as long as the transactions are for cash, neither is there great danger of 

 subsequent distress if there is no mortgage on the property. The Farm Security 

 Administration recently notified local comnittees to turn back their money rather 

 than make loans under the Farm Tenant Act for the purchase of farms at Inflated 

 prices. Mr. Frank Hancock, administrator, point out that "Congress passed Bankhead- 

 Jones Farm Tenant Act to curb tenancy anA. expand family farm ownership. The farmer 

 who goes into debt to buy a farm at an Inflated price today is in danger of becoming 

 a tenant of tomorrow." 



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