Washington officials becoming more understanding on bakers' appeals

Washington in June is quite different from Washington in March. Or so it appeared judging by the second rendition of the bakers March on Washington, organized last week by the American Bakers Association.

When the industry made its pitch about high flour prices in March and changes the government should adopt, many of the government officials with whom the group met reacted as though they were hearing an utterly foreign language. Other than fulfilling the need to appear (barely) polite for constituents, the officials (or staffers) from Secretary of Agriculture Schafer to prominent members of Congress appeared to have no idea what the bakers were talking about.

How could anyone find fault in a program wonderfully named the "Conservation Reserve?" What controversy could there be over government efforts to help reduce dependence on imported oil using domestic, renewable grain?

Finally, in meetings with the A.B.A. members, Washington officials were much more receptive to the appeals of the bakers. Driven by flooding in the United States rather than droughts in distant lands like Australia, surging grain prices have reached the radar screens in Washington. The officials with whom the bakers met last week appeared as though they were seeking help in resolving the current situation as much as were the bakers. Between ethanol and even C.R.P., the bakers still may not be granted everything they want. But now, at least everyone is speaking the same language.

There is a long way to go and it will be done inch by inch, but it is going forward.