THE FOOD CRISIS AND AMERICANISM 133 



sonable price; that is, at the first station they would 

 offer him only $1.90 per bushel, while at the second 

 station, with no better facilities for handling, he re- 

 ceived $2.10 per bushel. There was no milling done 

 at either station no valid reason for a difference in 

 price. So long as such iniquities are possible they will 

 be practiced. If the Government restricts the price 

 of commodities it should insure to the producer his 

 just share of that price. Our farmers will not object 

 to price restriction so long as they feel that any lack 

 of profit to them results entirely to the benefit of our 

 National cause, but the conviction that thus far the 

 profit of price restriction on farm products has ac- 

 crued chiefly to profiteers in food stuffs meat, flour, 

 etc., (see recent reports of Federal Trade Commis- 

 sion) it is engendering bitter and justifiable resent- 

 ment. Besides this, and especially as the railways are 

 now operated by the Government, the Food Adminis- 

 tration is in a position to practice great economy in 

 transit. To illustrate: Why should not every car- 

 load of wheat be billed direct to the nearest mill in 

 need of it? Or if not immediately required by the 

 mills, direct to the seaboard for exporting, thus avoid- 

 ing all unnecessary switching; inspection; elevator 

 charges and commission (these were, I am advised, 

 paid at the central markets even during those months 

 when the grain could go only to the Food Administra- 

 tion) as well as high local rates all charged to the 

 farmers ? 



