J.S. Cullinan to Woodrow Wilson

In connection with your embargo proclamation effecting commodities purchased for export to neutrals, I would respectfully suggest that very positive assurances of some kind be made, under which farmers will be protected against the demoralization of prices and possible withdrawal of banking credit that may be expected to follow.
New crop wheat in Texas, now being harvested, is reported as selling freely at a price of $2.15 per bushel. Should this price drop, following your proclamation, such reduction being brought about by speculators taking advantage of the announcement, or by buyers or bankers acting in the utmost good faith, may result in serious opposition to pending legislation, particularly the Lever Food Bill.
Aside from the effect on legislation, a more important bearing will be causing doubt to develop in the minds of producers that their interests are not being properly protected, thus leading to restricting rather than expanding production––a national calamity to be avoided if it is possible to do so.
The practical working out of an equitable adjustment in price to apply on wheat or other staple products affected, may safely be left to representatives of the Agricultural Department, the Food Administration or other agencies which you may designate later. What the farmers are vitally interested in now is that some such method and agency will be provided for looking to protecting them against such depression and demoralization.