Evening star., 1916-11-24
SAYSM|LKFAM|NE
THREATENS DISTRICT
W. A. Simpson, Dealer, Writes
to P. T. Moran, Urging Em-
barge on Food Products.
TO PLAN LINE OF ACTION

With information that a milk famine
is threatened in Washington. due. indi-
rectly, to the export of food products
from this country. P. T. Moran. president
of the Chamber Of Commerce. today took
steps to have an early meeting of the COM
mttee which he recently appointed to in
vestigate the high cost Of living. This
committee, of which John G. Capers is
chairman. Is expected to be called the
first part OF next week and to determine
on line Of action which may alleviate
food conditions in Washington. An ap-
peal may be made to President Wilson
in which organizations throughout the
country may cooperate. in a request to
Feed America First"
The milk situation, which Is believed
by the officers OF the Chamber OF Com
merce to be worse than the situation
with regard to any other commodity.
although rising prices have caused
much anxiety in many fields. was
brought before the heads of the cham
Der in letter received today. 1t is
from W: A Simpson. proprietor of one
of the largest dairies in this part of
the country. Mr. Moran. Immediately
upon its receipt, took action to have
the committee arrange for a meeting.
rms committee has already started an
investigation Of conditions affecting
various commodities.
Text of the Letter.
Mr.. Simpsons letter to President
Moran says:
Il am writing to you as president of
the Chamber Of Commerce to ask if
1t is any way possible for your organiz-
alton to make an appeal to the Presi-
dent of the United States to have an
embargo placed on the exporting of
foodstuffs from this country.
Your organization alone, perhaps
could not have this done. but You could
communicate with kindred bodies in
other cities and have public sentiment
aroused to such an extent by a news
paper campaign that such a step would
be advisable
Il know that conditions I'm my busi-
ness are becoming worse every day. the
supply of milk becoming shorter and
the expenses necessary to run the busi-
ness becoming greater. due to the in
creased cost of all products on the mar
ketS today. The time has passed when
the price of the necessities of life was
a factor. 1t is now a question as to
whether the people can obtain these
necessities at any price.
Milk Famine Threatened.
Il note in the papers this morning
that the city of New York is con-
fronted with the question of a serious
food famine. and 1 know that from the
decrease in the supply Of milk 1 re-
ceive that If conditions are not better
within few days Washington will be
in the midst of milk famine. 1t is
not because the dealers are holding up
the supply, but because the producers
are not making an ample supply, al
though they are receiving their own
price. This price they claim is only
fair on account of the high cost of feed
and other materials.
Il have tried for the last week to OBJ
tain milk from outside sources at any
price, but the situation seems to be the
same over the entire country.
Il think that in the interests of hu-
manity and of the people of the United
States it is no more than right for the
President to take steps to have an EN-
barge on all shipments Of foodstuffs
from this country.
The newspapers and popular week
lies have long cried, See America
first Now let them cry, Feed America
first and they will accomplish some
thing benefiting everybody"