THE FOOD CRISIS AND AMERICANISM 39 



at these same five packing centers, and this too in 

 spite of a marked increase in price during 1912. 



The influence of this ratio of price to cost may be 

 traced in the markets of this country for at least sev- 

 enty years. On the first day of January, 1861, the 

 price of 100 pounds of live hogs was equivalent to 

 the price of 17.7 bushels of corn. Among the first 

 effects of the Civil War was the cutting off of our 

 chief pork markets the Southern States. This re- 

 sulted first in throwing the price of hogs far below 

 the proper ratio of 13.3 bushels of corn to 100 pounds 

 of hogs. Then, as during the three months following 

 November i, 1917, pigs and brood animals were 

 rushed to market, and the stock of hogs reduced on 

 every farm. A meat famine ensued, and it was not 

 long before 100 pounds of live hogs sold, not for the 

 equivalent of 13.3 bushels of corn, but for the equiva- 

 lent of the value of 26.6 bushels of corn, or equal to 

 $49.50 per hundred weight at present price of corn. 

 Such a meat famine now would be disastrous to our 

 armies and endanger our sacred cause. Like effects 

 from similar causes might be noted in wheat and other 

 food products. 



Can we afford to take such tremendous hazards? 

 Why should we not offer every possible stimulant for 

 an increase of this indispensable food? 



As in all other war necessities, the paramount ques- 

 tion should not be what food may cost, but can and 

 will it be produced in sufficient quantities? I approve 

 every step taken toward conservation of food; but we 

 can neither conserve, nor can our country comman- 

 deer, for our armies, grain from fields that are not 



