The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
INCREASE IN PRICE
Of LOAF OF BREAD
ALMOST ASSURED
City Commission Will Not
Allow Reduction in the
Present Standard
LANE AND WEATHERLY
STATETHEIR POSITIONS
Weatherly Thinks Standard for Loaf
Should Be as Fixed as Any Other
Recommendations Favors
Reduction in Size

From a poll taken yesterday OF the
positions of the three members Of the
city commission on the bread ques-
ton, it appears that there is little
probability but what an increase in the
price of loaf of bread will be made
by the master bakers of Birmingham
this week.
The bakers have already stated that
owing to the exceedingly high price of
-four they are forced either to reduce
the size of their loaf or increase it's
price. The bakers prefer to decrease
the size of the loaf. but a majority OF
the commission it is probable. will not
permit a revision or a repeal of the
existing ordinance calling for IA
ounce loaf and therefore the other al
tentative, as set out by the bakers, will
be an increase in price, probably from
s to cents.
Position of Commissioners
The position of the city commissioners
IL as follows:
George Ward: "On account of inter
est in baking concern, 1 will not vote
If question comes up and will not take
part in the controversy
Judge A. o. Lane: Believes bakers
have proven price of flour is too high
to make a 14-ounce loaf at cents
and favors reduction in size of loaf
and probably repeal of section of or
dinance regulating size. States his pol
icy is "justice to both producer and
consumer"
James Weatherly: Undetermined, but
inclined to refuse a reduction in size
o. loaf, at least until some representa-
ton is heard from the bread consum-
ing public as to its wishes.
"The real issue in the whole prop
osition," stated Mr.. weatherly, sis
whether or not the cost of bread shall
be increased, this to be done in either
of two ways-by a decrease in the size
or a raise in price. If the city COM
mission permits the bakers to decrease
the size, the assumption would follow
that we have so thoroughly investi-
gated every detail of the manufacture
of bread as to reach this conclusion
and we would, therefore. be standing
1esponsible for the increase in price.
..On the other hand, my beliefs in in
clining to refuse any change in the size
Of loaf was that the city commission
should maintain the already established
standard for the size of loaf OF bread
inst as there is a standard quart meas
ure or pound weight Then it's up to the
bakers to charge whatever they please
for It and take the consequences. just like
= grocer charges what he pleases for a
pound of his coffee or quart of his peas.
my mind, however. is entirely open
to argument. No side has been presented
TO me except the bakers SIDE, and feel
that it is my responsibility as a city
commissioner to. take into consioera.'oI'
the bread eaters side of the argument.
l don't know exactly what his wishes are,
but until know beyond q doubt would
not wish to make up my mind fully ana
therefore am inclined to hold up the
whole proposition, and in the meantime
take this opportunity to publicly request
any citizen of Birmingham who is inter-
ested--especally If he is bread consume
er--to make known to me his position"
Law Should Be Just
II believe first of all that every law
should give justice to all parties con-
cerned, which in this case would be both
the producer and consumer" said Judge
Lane 1T seems the bakers prove that
they cannot make a living at the present
price of flour by making H-ounce loaf
and therefore am in favor of decreasing
the size of the loaf rather than increas-
ing its price. The latter would be no end
of Inconvenience to the bread consumer
on account Of the odd change necessary
in buying one loaf. and that is what most
bread consumers buy at a time. 1t Is not
nearly as flexible arrangement to regu-
late the cost of bread with the cost OF
-four, because when change in price Is
made 1t must be no less than l cent one
way or the other. while change in the
size Of loaf can be made anywhere
from half ounce on up, it being neces-
sary that change of two ounces in size
be made to be equivalent to q change OF
cent in price,"
1t Is probable that petition from the
bakers will be brought before the CON-
4 mission today In order that the members
of the body will be placed on record al
70 their position in the matter.