Irving T. Bush to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Irving T. Bush to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Bush, Irving T., 1869-1948
Identifier
WWP19332
Date
1918 January 23
Description
Irving Bush writes to Woodrow Wilson about the grain shortage in England that is coming to a critical point and the urgent need to get the promised supplies to them to bolster the war effort.
Source
Hoover-Wilson Correspondence, Hoover Institution, Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford, California
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
United States--Foreign relations--Great Britain
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Language
English
Text
C O P Y
--LS-BKM.
THE WAR BOARD FOR THE PORT OF NEW YORK -- New York.
Mr. President
It is only my belief in the urgent necessity of an immediate and final decision upon the subject of this letter which induces me to write you.
Approximately 60% of the grain and food products going forward to England is being shipped in packages. The Government is already between six and seven hundred thousand tons, or more than 30%, behind in the obligation which it has undertaken to supply food. In England they are diluting their bread 38%, and unless grain moves forward promptly, a further dilution must be made. The present emergency will end in three months with the movement of the Argentine grain.
The working people of England are expecting food from this side. If they do not get it the ground is prepared for the German propaganda of dissatisfaction.
If the food continues to move in package form it is impossible to get the necessary amount per month loaded on vessels and out of our ports. There is an increasing difficulty in getting sufficient labor to handle package freight. Weather conditions are adverse. The urgent need is to substitute coarse grain for flour in bags, for prompt shipment during the next six or eight weeks. I am informed that the Food Administration say that this cannot be accomplished. If it is not done there is grave danger of seriously affecting the morale of the English working people at this most critical period.
After sixty days the present method of shipping flour in packages can be returned to if necessary. The temporary loss to small millers throughout the country during this period, it seems to me, is nothing compared with the larger matter of maintaining the morale of the English working people.
I believe this matter is of vital importance and I urge that for this temporary period orders be given to release coarse grain for shipment.
Very truly yours,
(Signed*) Irving T. Bush,
Chief Executive Officer.
--LS-BKM.
THE WAR BOARD FOR THE PORT OF NEW YORK -- New York.
Mr. President
It is only my belief in the urgent necessity of an immediate and final decision upon the subject of this letter which induces me to write you.
Approximately 60% of the grain and food products going forward to England is being shipped in packages. The Government is already between six and seven hundred thousand tons, or more than 30%, behind in the obligation which it has undertaken to supply food. In England they are diluting their bread 38%, and unless grain moves forward promptly, a further dilution must be made. The present emergency will end in three months with the movement of the Argentine grain.
The working people of England are expecting food from this side. If they do not get it the ground is prepared for the German propaganda of dissatisfaction.
If the food continues to move in package form it is impossible to get the necessary amount per month loaded on vessels and out of our ports. There is an increasing difficulty in getting sufficient labor to handle package freight. Weather conditions are adverse. The urgent need is to substitute coarse grain for flour in bags, for prompt shipment during the next six or eight weeks. I am informed that the Food Administration say that this cannot be accomplished. If it is not done there is grave danger of seriously affecting the morale of the English working people at this most critical period.
After sixty days the present method of shipping flour in packages can be returned to if necessary. The temporary loss to small millers throughout the country during this period, it seems to me, is nothing compared with the larger matter of maintaining the morale of the English working people.
I believe this matter is of vital importance and I urge that for this temporary period orders be given to release coarse grain for shipment.
Very truly yours,
(Signed*) Irving T. Bush,
Chief Executive Officer.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Citation
Bush, Irving T., 1869-1948, “Irving T. Bush to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 January 23, WWP19332, Hoover Institute at Stanford University Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.