812.5018/10–243
President Roosevelt to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
Dear Mr. Messersmith: I have talked with Justice Byrnes about your letter of September 23, with reference to the serious situation which has developed in Mexico with respect to corn. He tells me that this is a matter which is more within the field of War Food Administrator Jones than his own, but he will ask Mr. Jones to cooperate with Mr. Bonsal to see what can be done to help Dr. Canedo, President Camacho’s representative, in his efforts to straighten out the corn crisis in Mexico.
Although the matter of price rests with Economic Stabilization Director Vinson and Food Administrator Jones, Justice Byrnes states that you should not minimize the actual shortage of corn in this country and that the situation is by no means caused simply because of dissatisfaction with the price ceilings. It is true that corn has not flown as freely to market as it might because of the existing hog-corn price ratio, but it is also true that there is a very small supply to meet existing demands.
Sincerely yours,