New-York tribune., 1917-07-25

Harassed housewives from Harlem
ard The Bronx, perplexed mothers from
the East Side, settlement workers from
Greenwich Village and economics ex-
perts from Columbia University and
elsewhere crowded into the City Hall
yesterday when the joint committee on
food supply of the state Senate and
Assembly installed itself there and an
nounced its readiness to hear sugges-
tions for legislation to lower food
prices.
"The committee principally would
like" said Senator Elon R. Brown,
presiding, "to have suggestions made
regarding the framing of helpful legis-
lation in relation to the stimulation OF
food production, conservation and pre-
vention of waste, the certainty Of food
distribution at reasonable prices and
the prevention of speculation. IL IS
hoped to introduce a bill embodying
these points at the opening of the spe-
cial session of the Legislature on July
81. What are the suggestions
Bedlam broke loose at the question.
Cries of dissatisfaction with present
conditions were mingled with demands
for immediate action and threats OF
riots unless relief came quickly.
Women Lead Consumers Attack
Leadership of these forces was vested
principally in the following; Mrs.
Frederick Alien, National League for
Women's Service; Mrs. +. l.. william,
son, Van Cortland Chapter OF the RED
Cross; Mrs. Jacob Panken, East Side
Housewives League; Mrs. II. L. Cox,
New York City Food Aid Commlttee;
Mrs. Ida Harris, Mothers vigilance
League; Miss Elizabeth Bonn, Amer,
can Home Economic Association, and
Mrs. William D. Maloney, who. repre-
sented the unorganized housewives.
The consumers attack began quleiiy
enough, with Miss Bohn advocating the
establishment Of terminal markets
throughout the city, which should De
controlled By commission empowered
to buy food direct from the farmer and
sell direct 70 the consumer. Sne was
followed, however. by Mrs. +: MINER,
yybo declared that families of her ac-
ouaintance were paying S6 week for
bread and two cents for rolls "only
bio enough to be smelled, but not
eaten" She declared that repetition Of
last winters City Hall food riots would
follow any further delay in relieving
"people who are actually starving"
They'll be real riots, too" she
warned.
"Oh, I cannot think the people Of
New York will riot" said Senator
Brown.
"You cannot think" scornfully re-
rlied the witness. you're not a
mother. You don't know what it is TO
see your children losing weight. No
mother will see it and do nothing.
What the devil cannot bridge women
can. That's an old saying and true
one"
Professor Stowell advocated the CEN
tralization of authority. whether Fed
eral or state, in one good, conscien-
tipus, loyal expert" who should be
given a high salary and a reasonably
long tenure Of Office and be required to
cooperate with the Federal food die
tator. Senator Brown asked Professor
Stowell IL he had thought of the possi-
BILE effect of establishing such an au-
thority in New York State.
"If he put restrictions on food deal
ers and producers in this state. would
not producers seek other markets in
ether neighboring states?" he asked.
"You must remember that SO per cent
of the food consumed here comes from
outside the state"
"No," was the reply. "The right man
would not make regulations which work
TO the states detriment. There should
be such a man in every state. We ought
to begin right here. The city and coun-
try are Disguised with the delay in ap-
pointing Hoover at Washington. Every
one but the corrupt interests wants
him."
Stowell Urges Publicity
Professor Stowell declared that every
detail Of food production. distribution
and consumption should be subjected
to publicity, which he called the "snl.
of democracy" so that all would know
the proper price Of staple foods as
we'll as they know their A p c.
Mr.. Wilcox suggested an individual
or a small commission which should
be empowered to purchase and sell to