New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-22
SEEK TO CONSERVE
U.S.. FOOD SUPPLY
Perkins VIII Ask Business
Men TO Curb Export
Trade.
WAR PROFIT PLANS
MENACE NATION
Mayors Committee Trying TO
Avert Hunger Peril-Hoard-
ing of Sugar Barred.

George ". Perkins. chairman Of the
Mayors food committee, intends to
seek the cooperation OF the big bust
ness men Of the country in evolving a
plan 20 keep enough of our own prod
ucts 40 home to supply the local de-
maud. Just now the country rs divided
into two camps. Those IN one camp
desire 10 take advantage of war prices
10 stimulate our export trade Those
u the other would restrain our cN-
ports lest our own citizens suffer.
I'm an effort TO harmonic the two
parties. whose conflicting notions are
believed to be in large measure re-
sronsIble for unsettled business condl-
tIous. Mr. Perkins viii consult with
producers and manufacturers OF all
kinds Of goods He will make use of
his wide personal acquaintance and VIII
devote considerable time TO cOnsulta-
tons both with individuals and with
representatives Of organizations.
This decision was reached, 1t is said,
after lengthy discussion of the bust
ness situation I'm the Mayors commit
tee. II was agreed that the United
States was iu danger of grave suffer
ing because of war i'm which the
country was not directly concerned.
There seemed TO be every chance that
once commerce was resumed the prices
of our own products in this country
would be gagged by the war prices
abroad
II was finally decided that an appeal
should be made 20 producers and manu-
facturers. and that Mr. Perkins whose
experience and influence lit him for
such a task, take the matter in charge.
His plans are not yet complete, but IN
q general way they are based on the
proposition that Europe and not the
United States should pay the cost Of
the war.
No such drastic measure as an appll-
cation for an embargo is contemplated.
II is intended that our own producers
and our own commerce shall benefit,
but also that our consumers shall not
suffer.
An effort will be made TO adjust the
prices Of exports to the prices of goods
sold in the United States so that not
only Will the producers get their ad-
vanced profits and commerce revive,
but the foreign market viii not be
glutted and sufficient goods OF all kinds
will remain in this country to be sold
at little if any advance over ordinary
prices.
Governor Glynn has requested an in
vestigation into the prices of food
stufs.
From its branches in various Euro
peau cities the Merchants Association
has received cable messages that for
eiCn ports are waiting for food ship
ments. A message from Paris says that
there is big market for meat and
wheat and that the market for refrig
Grated beef can be guaranteed.
Retail meat prices remained about
the same yesterday. except for lamb,
which dropped cents 4 pound. The
market is said 10 be overburdeued with
lard because Of the failure of exports
TO Germany Pork. however, remains
scarce and high Butter, eggs and veg
etables were unchanged Sugar contiu-
ued 10 vary I'm price Austin, Nichols &
Co. were selling at Z cents, wholesale,
a reduction Of half cent. The Fed
eral Sugar Refining Company said that
the price was stationary at ~ cents.
An advance ln teas, cOfees and
spices was reported.
Dealers i'm the Harlem Market said
that the farmers appeared TO have
combined to keep their prices up. al
though the supply of fresh vegetables
was unusually large.
James A. Howard, Of Sulzberger &
Sons Company, was a witness in Dis
trict Attorney Whitman's food price in
ouiry before Chief Magistrate McAdoo
and said that the price Of domestic
beef dropped slightly when the Argen-
tine importations began, but that the
effect was only temporary
Evidence of widespread sugar hoard
ing was brought IN the John Doe pro-
ceeding being conducted by District
Attorney Cropsey before Justice Bene-
dict, I'm Brooklyn, yesterday, showing
that so great a demand for storage
space had developed as a result that
warehouses which have never stored
sugar have been asked TO make room
for il.
Warehouse managers and sugar re-
fnery men were subpenaed to appear
and give evidence. Darwin j. Meserole,
representing a number Of retail com
panies, announced that his clients
would give testimony II the purposes
Of the inquiry were made known. Mr..
Cropsey said the probe was to deter
mine whether a conspiracy existed TO
boost prices for personal profit
William W. Gardiner, of Nlllett &
Gray, sugar statisticians, testified that
there was no reason for the rise IN
sugar prices, since there is Z per cent
increase in the supply over last year.
IL was shown that the price now ls 9
cents a pound, as compared with 3.tU