New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-23
Visits Disclose Biggest
Supplies of Food
They Ever Held
BREAD ADVANCES
ONE CENT A LOAF
Mayor and City's Heads
Discuss Measure to Low
er Cost of Living

DISAPPEARANCE OF inc HNe-CchS ioe'
Of bread from the New York market,
with the substitution Of six and twelve
cent loaves, was accompanied yester-
day by a redoubling of efforts Of the
city's officials to curb the activities OF
food spectators, who are held respon-
sible for The prevailing high prices.
Criminal proceedings, opening Of
public markets and coal yards, special
legislation for both state and nation
and Investigations that may lead to
wholesale prosecutions we're among
the developments or actually
carried out-thst are expected soon TO
make price conspiracy not only danger
Gus but impossible.
Incidentally, careful survey Of the
cold storage plants in New York City
and Jersey City by experts assigned to
the task from the Office of the Bureau
of Weights and Measures disclosed the
largest supplies of fresh foodstuhs ever
placed in these houses in their history
Butter, cheese, chickens, apples, and
even eggs, which were said to have
reached the disappearing point, were
found in unheard Of quantities.
Some Refuse Foodstuffs
These abnormal stocks have made 1t
necessary. according to one official, for
some Of the big cold storage ware
houses to refuse foodstuffs offered them
for temporary storage. Tons Of food
that would cause the bottom to drop
out Of the present high prices are being
held. it was shown, for still higher
prices.
Joseph Hartgan, Commissioner OF
the Mayors Bureau Of Weights and
Measures, explained that these supplies
were not being held exclusively for
speculative purposes, but in some IN
stances had been stored under con-
tracts preparatory to shipment abroad
In most cases, however, it was ac-
cepted as evidence that the unprece-
dented prices being charged for the
city's food supplies were the result OF
manipulation, and not OF, the small
Shipments from producers that have
been described by wholesalers and COM
mission men as the real basis of the
food famine.
That the bakers of the city had de-
cided against further efforts to sell
bread for cents loaf with wheat at
SO was learned during the day, when in
spectors visited shops to learn whether
stamps marking the weight of loaves
were being used, as is required by city
ordinance.
Others to Change To-day
They reported that most of the city's
bakers had changed to the 8 and II
cent loaves yesterday and that the 9TH
ers. almost without exception, would
follow their example to-day.
There was no evidence Of collusion
among the bakers, they said-simply
general agreement that the cost Of
everything entering into a loaf Of bread
made il impossible to continue selling
IL at old prices while paying new ones
for materials.
Recently the size Of scent loaves
was cut down.
Meanwhile John ]. Dillon, State Mar
ket Commissioner, completed his plan
for opening cooperative stores IN the
city TO make it possible for the farmer
20 trade directly with the grocer, deli
catessen owner or even the consumer.
Commissioner Dillon hopes to open a
store on the East Side, near 1lOth
Street, Monday.
"This plan should 60 a long way
toward cutting down the prices OF foods
in the city" he said. ut Is as near as
We can come to solving it until money
is appropriated by the state or enabling
legislation passed for opening q great
terminal market.
"The saving 10 the consumers
through such a market would be tre-
mendous-so great that the hgures
make ones brain reel. The terminal
market might pay for itself in a month.
certainly in six months. This is no
new project. IL has been under con-
alteration for long time, but it must
be remembered that there are strong
influences operating to prevent the cut
ting down Of food prices.
Dillon Fears Big Interests
whenever anybody suggests that
ANYTHING be done there is strong pres
sure from the moneyed interests that