Evening star., 1914-08-19
Market Chief Advocates
Wholesale Buying by Com
munity Clubs.
NSTRUCTS CLASSES
THREE TIMES A WEEK
Sherman Warns Municipal Stall
Holders to Sell at Correct Prices
or Get Out.

With John H. Sherman. superintend-
end Of weights, measures and markets.
Hlling the role of instructor. the Dis
trict Of Columbia government today
opened a class in business economics TOT
the benefit of Washington consumers
who are seeking relief from the high
cost Of living.
About fifty householders attended the
first lesson, and showed enthusiasm over
the plan of the District authorities to
aid citizens in buying commodities at
wholesale prices.
The plan contemplates the organiza-
tion of groups of buyers. consisting or
from three to ten families. There is no
intention on the part of the District.
according to Mr.. Sherman, to put re-
tailers out of business. He said that al
ready there has been much suffering
among the poor of the city on account
of the advance in prices. and that the
municipal authorities have stepped into
the breach with plan designed to al
ford immediate relief.
Mr. Sherman had expected to discuss
the situation informsny with inquirers
at the weights and measures office. but
30 many persons presented themselves
that it became necessary to hold the first
meeting in the board room useS by the
Commissioners.
Explains Community Buying.
For more than an hour lie talked on
the difficulties to be guarded against in
Community league" organization and ex-
pressed the opinion that citizens would
find this method Of buying satisfactory
only so long as the high food prices con-
time.
The weights and measures Official said
that his department would not help any
club whose membership was scattered
over more than two blocks.
q larger space" he declared. ut will
lead to greater wastefulness than the
middleman can be guilty Of"
He also pointed out that the depart
ment can help only those consumers
who buy at the municipal fish and
Haskell produce markets. as these in
stitutions come under the supervision
of the District.
Stress was laid by the speaker upon
the importance OF the clubs demanding
to cover the 0rst purchases. Ths sys-
tenn OF Wholesale buying can only sue
ceed when maintained on q strict cash
basis, he asserted
Eliminate Delivery Costs.
Mr.. Sherman discussed the problem
of distribution and predicted that the
time is not far distant when house,
keepers will md it advantageous to
return to the old style Of carrying baskets
when shopping in order to eliminate
the cost Of delivery.
In making 1t plain that he does not
favor q boycott of retailers, the Dis
trict official came out strongly In favor
of the storage of products as a means
Of holding down prices. He declared
that the storage egg ts the salvation of
the housekeeper.
We have no idea Of boycotting the
middleman and we regard 1t as ex-
ceedingly unfortunate," said Mr.. Sher-
man. that the Wholesale buying plan.
which Is an apparently feasible one for
afording immediate relief. must work
retailers. The movement is not aimed
at them. and, in fact, 1t Is probable
that the retailers are not principally
responsible for the recent rapid in
creases in prices.
We have as yet found nothing to
indicate that the middleman's profits
are too large"
Buy early. pay cash. stand by your
orders and buy in season are some of
the recommendations made by Mr..
Sherman to insure the success Of the
community league"
Friday Mr.. Sherman will instruct an
other class in the purposes and possi-
biiities OF the plan. Thereafter, until
the high-priced-food crisis is passed, the
days for instruction will be Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays. between the
hours OF 10 am. and noon.
Today's large attendance has eneourag-
ed the District authorities in their efforts
to lessen the high cost Of living burden
and preparations are being made by the
weaghts and measures department. to
help cittzans In every section to orHanlze
buying clubA
Warns the Dealers.
0uUG Sherman has posted placards Al
DE municipal dsh and Haskell produce
mayksts Informing dealers at these point.
that thsy win he required to sell to con.
Gamefs who buy in wholesale lots at The
same prices a. those charged retail deal
en-, under similar conditions. Refusa
20 comply with the order will result in q
revocation Of their permits to engage II
business at either Of these markets. HI
sajd.
According to Mr.. Sherman. no com
paaints have been made to his department
standard advertised goods. such as break
fast foods. He expressed the opinion tina
commodities Of this character, which
are bulky and not easily exportable
would not be affected by the genera
raise in prices caused by the European
war.
CIubWomen Are Planning
to Cooperate and Hear