The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-23
PERKINS CALLS ON PATRIOTS
TO HELP CUT FOOD PRICES
Special Committee Will Appeal to Trade and
Farmers Organizations for Cooperation F1ar.
tigan Reminds Housewives That Chicago
Packers Have Lowered Figures

Mayor Mitchels committee on food sup
ply has been advised that the National
Biscuit Company proposes to enlarge its
plants and add to the number of its en-
ployees. This action, II Is understood, Is
TO be taken owing to increased demands
or the American consumer. who IL prac-
Using economy In the matter OF setting
his table. and to increased orders for
export due to the needs of the hundreds
OF thousands of men on European battle
fields.
What may have far reaching infiu-
ence on the future food situation is the de-
clsion of the Mayors committee to appoint
subcommittee of five men to appeal to
chambers of commerce, manufacturers as
sociations. farmers oranges and other
kindred organizations on patriotic
grounds TO do everything In their power
to keep down the prices OF foodstuffs. II
is the idea of George w. Perkins. chair
man of the committee that 1t lie a pa
triotic duty of every American citizen
to lend a helping hand in trying to main
tain reasonable prices In these troublous
times.
Another committee to be APP
pointed by the Mayors committee will
invite suggestions as to what KINDS OF
tVodstirs, manufactured abroad and now
Withheld because ships are not coming
from American ports, could be manufac-
tured In this country. This committee
VIII consist OF banker. a manufactures
and laboring man and 1t will be Its
duty TO take up the questions of the raw
product, the manufacture OF the product
and, II necessary, the bringing to this
country Of experts who have charge
OF the manufacture OF the product in for
eign lands.
In this connection Mr.. Perkins has re.
cciNed call from "a number OF whole.
sale manufacturers of macaronl In
Brooklyn, who said they were anxious
TO cooperate with the committee In every
way in d campaign to educate the for
eign population that mscdroni made In
this country is Just as good as macaron
made Oh the other side OF the waters.
In planning to encourage industries fol
the preparation and making OF foodstuff.
now made in Europe and imported here
the committee will endeavor. II possible
/ 10 obtain financial assistance for such In
dustries that are deserving OF help.
Commissioner OF Weights and Meas
! ures Hartigan, who Is working night ant
day in an endeavor to help save 'thre,
| square meals a day" from the attacl
of the avariclous wholesaler or retailer
4
operating with the National Association
of Manufacturers in the preparation OF 1
! list OF foreign commodities which ar
consumed in this country. The list will
give details respecting raw materials anC
where they can be obtained. the cost anc
prices OF manufacture and markets II
the United States
Commissioner Hartigans invest
gators on the trail OF substitutes TO tax,
the place of high price foodsturs hav,
made an exactng inquiry into the com
mercial and chemical aspects of corr
syrup and corn sugar. Their thought
naturally turned to this substitute fol
sugar In view of the fact that sugar ha,
gone up and the days for preserving
fruits and making jam have arrived. Theil
Investigations. Mr.. Hartigan said. hav,
\ led them 10 the conclusion that II tn,
! housewife would use corn syrup and corr
] sugar she would save 80 per cent. on the
cost OF cane sugar and beet sugar.
| The price OF corn syrup and corn sugar
on the market to-day. Mr.. Hartigan said
was s475 hundred-weight, becaus
wholesalers OF refined sugar say theil
price for sugar will eventually go to II
cents a pound. owing to the foreign de
mand.
In 1918 soO.0o0,O0o pounds OF corr
syrup and sugar were made. The produc
enters largely into the making OF candles
and CONNECTIONS and large quantities ar
used by bakers and by the canning in
dustrles
Mr.. Hartigan asked yesterday: "Wh'
will be the FIRST dealer TO mark his price
down."
"A cut OF 25 to 80 cents hundred
pounds on wholesale prices OF meat Il
Chicago will be attributed to the genera
resentment OF the public over recent ad
vances," he continued. Anyway 1t Is
coincidence that lower prices are beinl
given out at a time when the authorize
and newspapers took the matter up 70
action. People, Of course, will draw thei
own conclusions. A marking down OF re
tail prices now appears to be In order
why should the retailers not be a
quick TO give their customers the bench
OF concessions by the wholesalers as the,
are to put up prices when there Is an In
crease OF an eighth of a cent a pound o
even less? The popular understanding /