Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-24
EFFICIENCY SERVICE
TOPIC Of CONFERENCE
Civic Bodies to Form Organization
in Interest of Producer and
Consumer.
Meeting Of Promoters to Be Held
This Evening at the
Raleigh Hotel.

A general conference of individuals
connected with various civic organiza-
tions of Washington will be held at the
Raleigh Hotel at o'clock this evening
for the purpose of forming what is
called "an efficiency service for pro-
Queer and consumer which will deal
with the problems of production and dis
tribution of food and other household
necessities.
The proposed new efficiency service is
to be permanent organization. and the
conference tonight will be presided over
by George B. Sudworth of the Citizens
Association of Chevy Chase.
Among the organizers of the proposed
service are Mrs Sarah X. Lamb. secre-
tary of the Housekeepers' Alliance. and
members of that alliance. of the TWEEN
1ieth Century Club and other similar or
CARNATIONS will be present at the con-
ference Addresses will be made by DR..
Auguste Stabler of the bureau of plant
industry and Louis b. Fiohr, Sc1entlnc
assistant. market division, Department OF
Agriculture. There will also be speakers
from the Farmers Association of Mary
land who have asked for the privilege
of participating in the discussions. Par
Gel post distribution, egg crates ana
other similar subjects are expected to
be considered
Statement by Mrs Lamb.
Mrs. Lamb today made public a state
ment in regard to the proposed service.
in which she says:
With a cooperative service OF pro-
Queer understanding the needs OF the
consumer, and the consumer understand
ing the obstacles of the producer, as
well as the rights of the producer, a
harmony of interests will be stimulated
which will spread broadcast over our
land.
A booklet has been prepared for pres
entation to the meeting tonight, in which
the proposed service is outlined, In part,
as follows:
Manufacturers are the most preferred
on all price lists and are the largest
organized consumers. although not
classed as consumers. Through con-
centrated buying power, manufacturerS
and large dealers are accorded preferred
prices from all sources of supply. The
same is true of hotels. restaurants. etc.
Any organized business has its schedule
Of classification regarding prices.
In Behalf of Everyday Consumer.
I'm order for the ordinary everyday
individual consumer to enjoy any part
Of this preferred rate, it is absolutely
necessary to organize in some way to
acquire the right to a preference in
price. This may be accomplished by
saving in overhead costs of business
getting. The sales department of any
business consumes very large part of
what the unorganiZed consumer pays as
the retail price
The individual consumers standing to-
gether as an organized unit can command
just share Of the prevailing prices. and
SO standardize prices. insuring proper
values. quality and quantity.
ITO handle such an organization, 1t
must conform to present trade facilities
in keeping track Of the special prices or
discounts. contracted for with the differ
ent stores or sources Of supply. Expert
buyers would make all contracts for the
service. The service would then provide
local classified pocket directories free
from all advertising other than the mere
listing Of firms, for which listing the
firm would nav q certain fee"