Paris Peace Conf. 103.97/1½: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp ) to the Acting Secretary of State
6321. From Hoover to Rickard, Food Administration. 1234. We view with great alarm any demoralization of organization pending our ability to get settlements here. If we succeed in setting up European Relief Administration with approval of all Allies we should be able to convert major effort of the Food Administration under this title with abundant psychology and sympathy. It would appeal to us that it is desirable to withdraw marginal or price restrictions in every case where there will not be a reaction and county organizations are no doubt losing their vigor in enforcements; can you not throw greater responsibility on State and national inspection. We realize that it is desirable to reduce expenses all along the line. It appears at this distance that it should be accomplished step by step such as the withdrawal of millfeed regulations and therefore of all mill restriction except a percentage return on milling which competition will practically enforce; that meagre reports might be required which demand little enforcement so long as price changes do not disclose indications of profiteering and to remove every restriction that can be done without publicly advertising the abdication of the Food Administration. Such action would have the most unfavorable effect over the entire world and particularly [Page 666] here as it would indicate that the US does not propose to carry its share of the impending famine. You can make up statement in my name to the general effect that the world food situation can only be solved to next harvest through the continued support of the American people and that all Europe is today in the throes of readjustment from war; that there are millions of liberated mouths to feed and as soon as we can get organization of transport and finance for these people America’s burden will become more specific. In the meantime every atom undrawn from the national larder today will save some one next spring.