New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-29
EGG PRICES DROP;
BOYCOTT GROWS
Campaigns Are Begun by
Women's Organizations
of Chicago and St. Paul
YONKERS TO TAKE UP
WORK IN EARNEST
Letters and Film Appeals
Expected to Aid War
on Cost of Living

The boycott on eggs, started through
the activity Of Joseph Hartigan, Com
missioner Of Weights and Measures
and the National Housewives League
WAS in full swing yesterday, and de-
eided reduction in the volume OF retain
sales was reported from every borough
IN the greater city. From word re-
ceived in Mr.. Hartigan's Office and at
the Housewives League this reduction
was estimated at from 10 to 80 per cent
varying according to the locality.
This decreased demand for eggs and
the readiness Of New York Housewives
70 ioin the boycott made the egg mar
tet uncertain throughout the day and
caused drop Of from one 70 two cents
I'm the wholesale and retail prices. IN
snectors from the Office OF the Bureau
~ Weights and Measures reported from
ali boroughs that retail dealers, par
ticularly those carrying large stocks
had reduced the price Of storage eggs
from one TO two cents dozen.
Prices One Cent Lower
Wholesale carlot prices Of seconds
thirds and poorer grades Of fresh eggs
and Of all grades of storage eggs were
listed by the Urner-Barry Company al
from 35iz to 3617 cents q dozen, one
cent lower than Mondays price. The
Price Current" has this to say about
the market and the effect of the boy
colt:
"The demand is naturally restricted
by the high prices ruling and by an sp-
normal effect of boycott and newspaper
agitation. Mixed and irregular guam
ties and undergrades of fall packed
eggs are quiet and of irregular value
Storage eggs are lower under reduc-
tion Of speculative support. and as
position on the part Of the distribut-
ing trade to hold off and use stock on
hand. There is so little trading at the
close that values are almost nominal
AT the moment. There are some OF
ferinos AZ the reduction quoted, Many
holders, however. would not sell at the
Decline ~,
Both Mr.. Hartigan and Mrs. Julian
Heath, president of the Housewives
League. were greatly encouraged by the
results Of the first day Of the egg boy
colt. and a nationwide boycott, which
is expected to be effective in bringing
about q reduction, looms up as one OF
the big possibilities Of the food relief
movement.
Other Boyootts Begun
.Bovcotts similar to the one in New
York were begun in Chicago yesterday
bv the Women's City Club and the
Chicago Political Equality League,
members of which have pledged them
selves not TO buy eggs while the pres
ent high prices prevail, and in st, Paul
bv the Housewives League. This is en-
deavoring TO have every woman's club
in Minnesota take similar action.
The National Housewives League,
through Mrs. Heath, yesterday sent out
letters and bulletins to branches
throughout New York State urging that
the boycott be made statewide. Action
looking to this end also will be taken
in New York this afternoon, when
Mayor Cornelius F. Burns of Troy, head
Of the Association of Mayors, will meet
Commissioner Hartigan.
The movement has already reached
Yonkers, a committee of eleven repre-
senting the Yon kers Housewives
League having voted, at a meeting yes
terday afternoon, to institute a boy
colt beginning at noon to-day.
action to enlist every woman in the
| town. All those with telephones will
/ be called this morning and asked TO
| join; appeals will be flashed at all the
motion picture theatres, and the SUI
perintendent Of Public Schools will be
! asked to urge the school children TO
| induce their mothers 10 join the move
meat
Results In Manhattan
So far as New York City Is con-
I cerned, the boycott appeared yesterday
TO bo in full swing throughout the en-
tire city, although tho results were
more noticeable in Manhattan. The
women of the East Side and the cheaper
apartment house districts of the upper
West Side are taking the initiative
much Of the reduction in the volume
of egg sales being reported from those
parts.
In the Weather districts the prices
showed no change, in some instances
even going higher. On the East Side
and the lower West Side and in some
sections of the upper West Side, how
ever, gToeers and delicatessen keepers
declared there had been a marked re-
ductlon in the demand for eggs.
Commissioner Hartigan and the
Housewives League intend TO push the
boycott without cessation. At a meet
ing Of women in the leagues headquar-
tiers yesterday morning it was decided
10 start an endless chain of letters 10
the women OF the state urging their CO.
operation. and the boycott was also
discussed at a meeting Of the league;
Committee Of Ten on Food Prices.
Commissioner Has Slogan
Commissioner Hsrtigan yesterday
completed and sent to the Moving Pict.
ure Exhibitors League slogan which
will be flashed on the screens of 70l
moving picture houses four times 6
day until the boycott has accomplished
its object This slogan is:
Smash the Egg Gamblers Join tn,
Egg Boycottl It's the Man Higher Up
Not the Retailer! Practise Economy
in the Use Of Eggs Buy Only fol
Aged, Sick and Children! Decrease
the Demand and Watch the Price Come
Down."
A report showing that the poor or
the lower were compelled to pay NOR,
for their eggs than the wealthy on tn,
upper East Side and that only IN,