( 181 ) 



FIGURE 4. INDEX NUMBERS OF UNITED STATES FARM PRICES 



OF FOOD 1939 TO 1943 



1910-14 = 100 



INDEX 



180 



160 



140 



120 



100 



AUG. 1939 AUG 1940 AUG 1941 AUG. 1942 AUG. 1942 



Since the spring of 1941, food prices have risen at a rather uni- 

 form rate of about three points per month, regardless of general 

 maximum price regulation, price stabilization, and the like. 



During World War I the farmer was heralded as a patriotic 

 citizen who was encouraged to expand production and put 

 forth every effort to meet wartime demands for food. He was 

 not accused of attempting to raise prices or to profiteer. Dur- 

 ing World War II the government prevented the farmer 

 from expanding the acreage of wheat, corn, cotton, and some 

 other crops. Some persons accused farmers of profiteering, 



