New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-30
Mayors Food Committee
Sees Way TO Reduce
High Living Cost.
HOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH LOCAL BAKERS
Standard Oil Denies War Has
Increased the Cost OF
It's Products.


tcrday that food prices could not be
controlled except where conspiracy was
proved. The committee, despite the
ruling. which IN substance means that
there is little likelihood of local prose
BUTTONS following the investigation OF
the raise in price Of foodstuits, is car
rvino on the campaign with as mucn ac-
tlvity as ever.
Commissioner Harugan, Of the bu
reau of Weights and Measures. VINO D.
eecretary Of the committee, sara yes
terdav that the committee would IN an
probability extend the scope OF us worn
beyond the consideration OF ioodstuHS
The MAYORS committee, OF when
George W. Perkins is chairman, Is stlll
considering the advisabilty OF form
inc second committee, capitalized Al
several millions Of dollars, to hnance
local manufacturers IN the turning out
Of prepared foods hitherto imported
from Turope. The committee viii be
iudopeudcrt Of the Mayors committee,
but will cooperate with II. While TINS
uIan has been under discussion Tor
soD,e time. il was said yesterday nv
the Commissioner that such step
had practically been decided upon:
This syndicate, as proposed Wouid
work with chambers of commerce IN
various cities OF the country.
Municipal Flour Mill.
Mr.. Hartigan met several locsl
bakers Yesterday and discussed win
them the feasibility OF opening a hour
mill i'm fhe vicinity Of the city, where
four could be purchased direct by the
bakers, thereby doing away with the
middleman's profit A mill thus oper-
ated in Philadelphia, which sells Hour
st 81 less than the market price, was
given by Mr. Hartigan as an instance
Of what could be done here. No def
mite action was taken by the bakers
but they were much impressed
Next Tuesday morning. when four
omen markets are 70 be started m the
CITY. $50 men viii be drawn from the
taft Of INSPECTORS Of the Tenement
House. Board OF Health and other city
departments, including ten detectives
OF the Police Department, to work with
tho INSPECTORS Of the Bureau OF
Weights and Measures, investigate
complaints of overcharges by mcr-
chants and in 2 general way keep tabs
on the food situation.
The market. 90 be operated under the
synervision of Borough President
Marks. will be opened under the Man
haitian Bridge, East Broadway and
Market ST.: under the greensboro
Bridgc. First az. and seth st; Harlem
River Bridge. l29th st. and Third aN,
aud M Fort Lee Ferry. 10th 81. and
tho Hudson River. Farmers IN Con
uecticut. Long Island and New Jersey
for a radius Of fifty miles around the
city have indicated their intention OF
taking advantage OF the opportunity
offered practically 10 do away with the
middlcmsu or commission Merchant
Parcel Post an Aid.
The Housewives League has discoy-
cred that one OF the ways 10 cut down
the cost Of living Is by means OF
the parcel post. From its own investi-
cation IL has been discovered that food
can. in majority OF cases, be bought
al the markets and sent home much
cnoaper than by buying in the neigh
boring markets M the residential sec
tIons Of the city.
Herbert b. Pratt. vIce-president OF
the Standard OIL Company, sent let
ter 20 Commissioner HartIgan yester-
dav. i'm which he stated that the price
4 Of petroleum products had not been m
creased Dy the war, and mat DO the
case Of gasoleue there had actually
been a decrease. The letter states:
81 have gone over all the prices since
July 20 and sind that. with the exception
of easolcuc. which has been reduced
about 20 per cent, and the Russian oils,
which. owing to the war, have doubled,
the prices Of all petroleum products
have remained the same, with ten
dency 10 lower prices on large orders,
or. 20 answer your question directly,
F the war has made no difference in our
prices
Commissioner Hartigan referred to a
communication he had received from
the Chamber Of Commerce OF Washing
ton. which contains 50 OF articles
the expectation Of whl,d is forbidden
by.foreign countries. From II the com
missioner explained the Importance of
/ establishing factories ia this country 70
furnish similar articles. The countries
given iu the list are England. Ger
many, France, Belgium, Italy, Norway
and Portugal