The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-04
PATRIOTISM AND
THE FOOD PROBLEM
\ Lesson In Food Economy That
Might be Good For
United States.
From London Statist. J

'From London Satisfy
The three most important staples
of daily consumption are bread, meat.
and sugar, and forethought for the
sustenance of the population requires
a decision as to whether compulsion
is necessary to insure an equitab Bile dis
tribution and conservation of avail
able supplies. Compulsory rationing
to fixed quantity per head involves
very elaborate machinery, which In
Itself absorbs labor and for that rea-
son alone ought to he avoided unless
absolutely necessary. Therefore, hav-
ing carefully weighed the advantages
and disadvantages. we have come to
the conclusion that voluntary system
is preferable until further experience
is gained and to meanwhile rely on
the nations instinct of self discip.
line. The allowance indicated IL
based on the average weekly con.
sumption Of each of these commodi'
ties which should be permitted tc
each person. After consideration OF
available stocks and probable means
of future supplies. the situation re.
quires that heads of families should
endeavor TO limit themselves to the
weekly purchase for. each person
comprising the household of the fol,
lowing quantities per head per week
Bread four pounds Cor it's equiva.
lent in flour three pounds. for bread,
making). Meat. two and one-half
pounds. Sugar three fourths OF
pound
Variations in Consumption
The consumption Of these commod
tiles varies according to age sex. oc.
cupation and other conditions. The
indicated allowance. therefore, pro-
vides for adjustment of apportion-
ment between members OF each
household in relation to individual,
needs. It is recognized that some
persons eat more bread and less meat
than the quantities indicated above;
others eat more meat and less bread
In all these cases a resolute effort o's
The part OF each consumer to reduce
consump tion by at least one pound OF
bread or one -half pound of meat per
week. or both. will automatically
bring about saving of over 100000
tons per annum of these foods. A.
regards bread especially the varia-
ton in individual consumption is most
marked. That Is attributable to the
fact that the lower the scale of IN
come and Of consequent living, the
higher the bread consumption for
with many in such circumstances
meat is only Internationally comprised
in the scale OF dietary, whereas bread
constitutes the main staple.
Although these quantities will form
the basis of the dietary scale, they
Will naturally be supplemented by
other food products. The nation is
placed upon It's honor to observe these
conditions. The effect upon consump-
ton will reveal Itself through the sta
tistlcal returns available to the food
controller. Meanwhile. TO meet the
contingency that rationing may be-
come necessary, the machinery to
bring such a system into operation is
being organized so that If. and when
required, ii may be ready. 1t Is ex-
peCted that patriotic endeavor will
be made by every one 70 limit con-
sumption wherever possible to below
the standard indicated, and by so do
ing render rationing unnecessary.
The food controller is confident
that every individual viii cooperate
Loyalty. To the women OF the coun-
try. who in this emergency can ex-
ercise so much influence, special
appeal is made Economy is not only
a patriotic duty, but a necessity En-
travagance is obviously unpatriotic.
The power To purchase does not con
stitute the right, and nobody should
obtain more than is necessary to suf-
fee
Frugality practised at home will in
sure a sufficient supply for all, de-
spite any effort of the enemy, and.
as hitherto, an unstinted provision
for our soldiers and sailors. There
is hardly household that has not
"A direct interest in some loved ono
lighting for the nations honor Nor
is comparison possible between their
sacrifice and suffering and the de-
mand which these conditions will im-
pose on those who enjoy at home the
security which their valor has estab-
lished Every act of self denial here
is help and aid 10 those fighting for