The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-07-20
CAN'T STARVE TEUTONS!
MUST Use ARMY TO WIN WAR
By Karl Won Wiegland.

plish wonders even in the severely
rationed Germany. And if there is
one thing that is plentiful in Germa-
ny today it is money. Money and
connections enables person to eat
better than lis neighbor. And de-
spite tie severe prosecution by the
authorities, the profits of "contra6ano
trade" in certain articles of food are
so great that at no time during the
war has this trade been greater in
Berlin than during Germanys "lean-
est weeks" this spring. With even
unskilled labor getting so cents an
hour, with every member of the fam
ily who wants to, working, everybody
has money and is willing to spend
it-for food. IL takes time to make
connections" and to "get on to the
ropes in the matter of getting more
than your share of the food.
Butter.
During May about 10000 pounds Oh
butter and lard disappeared in Ber-
ain. 1 think 1 got some of it. In
stead of two little marbles OF butter
once a week in the Adlon, had but
ter every day and plenty. 1t cost
however, $3.50 pound and
went up to So. 1t was an appetlz-
ing addition to the breakfast of the
drv bread and the stuff christened
coffee" One lady whom I know
bought so pounds OF butter at one
time for which she paid SIPS. The
same Lady obtained 200 pounds OF
aa,rly white -four at 55 cents
pound, while others I knew had paid
as high as IS cents pound.
Eggs.
"Contraband" eggs were to be hao
if you knew how to get them at
* and a5 cents each. Sugar, beyond
the amount the government proposed
YOU should have, could be obtained
now and then at So a pound. A little
coffee was at times forthcoming at
S. and tea at 81. "Contraband'' meat
was also = be had, but that was still
more difficult. Just before left was
iuvited to dinner at the house OF an
opera song bird. The "centerplece" on
the table was a nice pork roast, Tor
the four of u.s.. 1t. cost SIS. There
was also real tea and real coffee and
butter. Up to the time left, JAG
cues Mayer of New York, was still
giving his generous dinners to about
40 Americans, the cost, of which
could not have been less than 50;
to $s for each plate.
i In Hotels.
], Hausfraus, however, are not tne
OILY "foragers." Many OF the guests
at the Adlon and other private ho-
tells have private pantEies" OF teas;
butter. eggs and sugar i'll their rooms.
Seine also have ;hhams. bolongas= ana
sausases and even sides of bacon
in their private pantries." A gen.
erous tip to the chef and an occa-
sional slice of bacon or ham to the
foor waiter, always assures the un-
ostentatious preparation OF these
highly priced "additions" to the reg
ular breakfast. 81 luncheon or $z.0o
four-course dinner. 1t is not unusual
in the dining room or in restaur-
ant to see persons take from their
pockets a small round nickel box con-
tanning butter for the day, possibly
q second one with few Jumps OF
sugar.
wear ago many Germans who no"
"hamster." as this illegal obtaining
o7 food is called, would have consld-
ered it highly unpatriotic to take
more food than the ration card calls
4c: but the duration of the war mas
tended to destroy much of that un-
selfish sentiment. There has been
much searching Of houses and num-
Der of times sides of bacon, hams DO
]opgas and other. articles OF food
been found under mattresses and ev-
on between fine quilts in beds.
Twas the general belief among
the working classes of 'East Berlin
ane ssNorth Berlin" as the older Sec
ttns of the kaiser's capital are KNOWN
that houses in the fashionable West
had pantries full of foodstuffs. which
led to the fear during the strike in
the middle of April that the "West"
night be stormed.
The Country.
eanerallv speaking, found that the