New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-25
INQUIRY IS ASKED
TO RELEASE FOOD
Hartigan Demands Inves-
tigation of Cold Sto-
rage Situation
HEARS DEALERS
ARE EVADING LAW
TranSshipment System Re-
ported - Arrests for
Short Weight Made

Just how much food is being boarded
in cold storage plants in and near New
York for speculative purposes may be
answered within few days. regardless
of whether the owners Of such supplies
desire publicity for their operations.
An investigation Of the entire cold
storage situation, with view TO posi-
bic prosecutions and the releasing Of
much Of the warehouses; contents, by
Attorney General Egburt f. Woodbury.,
ess demanded yesterday, when reports
were received at the Municipal Build
ing that a system Of transhipment
from one warehouse TO another had been
instituted to evsde the law limiting
the time fresh supplies might be kept
in storage.
Joseph Hartigsn, Commissioner OF
Weights and Measures. brought the
subject to the attention Of the Attorney
General in letter mailed to Mr..
Woodbury. yesterday afternoon.
Perishsble Food Withheld
"The price conditions respecting food
stufs in the City Of New York." he
wrote, ARE Of such moment as TO JUS
tify or allay public suspicion that per-
ishable food products are being unnec-
essarily withheld from public sale in
the so-called cold storage premises in
the City Of New York.
"In this connection believe it would
be in the public interest if an inquiry
were conducted under appropriate legal
procedure as to the situation respect
ing those private enterprises which re-
ceive perishable products for storage,
based upon the following suggestions;
"First-That perishable food prod
ucts may not be kept in such places
beyond the time limit set by state law.
Second Whether packages of per
ishable food products in said refriger-
ating plants are not properly stamped
as to date according TO state law.
"Third Whether there is any con-
nection between the unnecessary with
holding of perishable food products
from the market and the speculative
feature on exchanges which trade in
butter. cheese, eggs and other such
commodities.
Has Urged Investigation
81 have directed an inquiry 70 the
Commissioner Of the State Department
Of Agriculture requesting, in the pub
lie interest, an investigation in so far
as his authority goes to examine into
some of the elements commented on
above.
should your inquiry be broad, some
facts may be revealed through the
books, records and accounts of the said
refrigerating plants which will throw
considerable light upon the foodstuff
situation so far as II concerns perish
able products.
"Such a judicial inquiry will be help
full TO the present situation which, as
you may have observed, is growing
more tense in view Of the current re
ports Of abnormal expectation OF food
products, alleged reports Of sub-normal
production, reports OF car shortage,
shortage of labor on the farms, report
cd high prices Of farm supplies, re-
ported conditions Of bad weather, re-
ported abnormal conditions affecting
the making Of butter, the making Of
cheese, the production OF eggs"
Commissioner Gets Letter, Too
A similar letter was forwarded 10
the State Commissioner Of Agriculture
REPRESENTATIVES Of Commissioner Will
son. at Albany. explained that the au-
thority Of that department did not
permit inspection of cold storage
plants. but that this work was being
carried on now by DR.. Herman NJ.
Biggs. Of the city Health Department.
DR.. Biggs could not be reached last
night. but 10 was said that he was
seeking information concerning the
quantity OF foodstuffs being stored IN
warehouses here.
Meanwhile. inspectors for the Blu
reau Of Weights and Measures are
securing the city in quest OF evidence
Of false weights and fraud by use OF
short measures. Half dozen dealers
we're surprised during the day when
supposed customers suddenly produced
their own scales or measures after
making purchases, found that they had
been cheated and called policemen 70
make arrests. 90,
prosecution Of such offenders will
be easier in future, however, II prom
ised city ordinances are passed az the
nevt meeting Of the Board OF Alder
men. 1. .
A bread weight law, making II a
prison offence to omit the stamp bear,
ing the weight Of loaf OF bread, ana
a similar ordinance demanding the
placing OF coal in bags bearing the
weight Of their contents IN PLAIN
figures, are scheduled 10 be passed upon
at that meeting.
Committee Will Meet
A meeting Of the Mayors Committee
on Foods and Markets, htaded by
George W. Perkins, has been called for
next Monday afternoon 10 consider new
phases Of the food situation.
Representatives Of the Department OF
Foods and Markets announced yester-
dav that farmers who desire TO eliml-
nate the middlemen were taking advan-
tage Of the daily auctions of foodstufs
being held through the departments
men here in greater numbers each day.
Last month the amount OF produce
thus disposed Of totalled $4,000. Both
the farmers and the grocers and small
dealers who purchased their supplies
said they had saved money.
--e--
HUBERT AGAINST EMBARGO
Would Add 10 Suffering Of Non-Comba-
tants Abroad, Says Representative