The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-09-03
NICKEL LOAF OF BREAD MUST GIVE
 WAY 10 DIME ONE
High Cost of Flour and Other Products Makes Larger Loaf Ideal Solu-
 tiOn of the Problem

With the leading brands of flour at the unprecedented price of s9 a barrel to the dealer and with every indication that it will mount higher it has become necessary for the bakers of Birmingham to take some action in the matter of the 5-cent loaf. All the leading bakers of the city have come to the conclusion that the 10-cent loaf is the only real solution of the bread problem, both for themselves and the housewives, according to a state ment made yesterday by T. Al McGough, president of the Master Bakers associa- ton of Birmingham
 An ordinance passed by the city com missioners several years ago prescribed that no loaf of bread should be baked with less than IA ounces of material There was nothing said regarding any other size loaf. MT. McGougn stated that at the time of the passage of this ordl- nance regulating the size of the 5-cent loaf, flour was retailing at s5 a barrel. However the bakers have sold this loaf at a profit ever since, but since the price on flour has advanced to such an extent, the 14-ounce scent loaf has become im- possible for the bakers.
 The matter of raising the price on the small loaf has been duly considered and passed up by the bakers, who claim that the 10-cent loaf can be made better substitute, and on the whole be the most logical loaf for the household use, saw ing the housewife money and at the same time giving her as much as she would get in two small loaves.
 The discussion of the matter has never been up before the bakers association, according to President McGough, as the purpose of that association is not to dic- tate what the bakers shall do, but Is used for fraternal and, social benefits. While questions of bettering conditions of the bake shops, the science of baking and other essentials are discussed.
 In the matter of getting away from the small loaf there has been no set rule. Each baker is to use his own plans and methods in dispensing with it. He will also decide upon what size loaf he will sell for 10 cents. All bakers make regu- 1ation sized 10-cent loaf, and 1t is quito probable that it will remain as it is.
 Explaining the local situation, Presi- dent McGough' said:
 If flour prices remain at the present high figure and my information from the wheat fields in the northwest leads me to believe that they will go higher, It Will De lmpOSSlDle TOT makers to sell the small loaf at cents. Nevertheless, everybody for a time may buy bread economically. Bakers can continue to sell the 10-cent loaf for the same price. From the standpoint of quality, taste and economy that is the size to buy anyway.
 'As I said for a time we can continue to bake the large loaf at the present price. This we shall be able to do be- cause of the labor cost saved in baking and handling it to and from the ovens. It requires no more labor to make and cut dough for the large loaf, 1t takes no more labor to wrap it. load it on the wagons. and deliver it to the stores. All this saving we can turn to the ad- vantage of the housewives if they will cooperate with us in dispensing with the b-cent loaf.
 "The big loaf is the ideal and practical loaf for the household. Some housekeep- CTS have objected to it on the ground that their families did not eat the entire