The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-12-04
American Navy Men Find Food
Cheaper There Than at
; Home. i,
AN ABUNDANCE OF POTATOES
Farmers Are Prosperous Beyond
Precedent-Young Folk Staying
by the Land-Mueh Better
Off Than England.

bdSe Ol AlQSFlCdu < flOt1lld Ill ollLlSll
Waters.-When an American navy man
who has visited Ireland in time Of
peace is asked what has impressed
him most about Ireland in war, the
inevitable answer is "Ireland's pros
perity and freedom from the wartime
restrictions of other countries
Hundreds of Americans in the naval
forces have visited England, Scotland,
and even France. All agree that there
is more freedom in Ireland, particular
ly less wartime curtailment Of per-
sonal liberty, as, for instance, regard
ing restrictions in eating and drink
ing. There is no conscription there,
no defense of the realm act" few
war taxes.
Is Land of Plenty.
Certainly when it comes to food and
drink Ireland is a land of plenty in
comparison with England. There Is
not only more food and drink there
than in England, but it is of better
quality. And in most parts Of Ireland
it is cheaper. Meatless and potato
less days are unknown there. Potatoes
were never so plentiful. That they
are cheaper even than in the United
States was unknown to the commits
sary department Of the American navy,
which recently shipped to the flotilla
about 10000 bushels Of potatoes which
were never unloaded. After discharg-
ing it's cargo of other foodstuffs, the
naval supply ship was sent to another
port, where the potatoes were sold to
the British government.
Fresh meat also is cheaper in Ire
land than in England or the United
States. The Americans buy a large
part Of their meat ashore. Porter
house steaks are from five to seven
cents a pound cheaper than in the
United States.
The Americans are impressed by the
large portions served In Ireland as
compared with the lean ones they get
in England. For three shillings they
get @ meal which includes soup, fish
or lobster and sometimes both, hot or
cold meat, dessert, cheese and biscuits
and tea or coffee. The same meal in
a hotel of corresponding grade In
England would cost at least six SKILL
ings.
Drink, too, is not only more plenti'
full but of better quality. The drink
ing places in Ireland are open all day
and until eleven o'clock at night
whereas in England and Scotland they
are only open for two hours in the at
ternoon and three hours in the eve
ming.
Matches Are Scarce.
In England today it is considered
indelicate to ask 4 friend for match
In France, matches are we'll nigh un'
obtainable. All the continental coun'
tries are suffering from a match fam
inc. Not so in Ireland. Hotels, bar
rooms, and cigar stores all have
matches in abundance, and they are
used with the same freedom as in the
time of peace.
The Americans see the Irish farmer
prosperous beyond precedent. The
sailor in his little trips to Dublin and
such resorts as Killarney, Youghal, and
Glengariff, passes through some of the
richest agricultural country in the
world. The immense amount OF land
under the plow impresses him, and ne
talks with many farmers who boast OF
the record prices they are getting for
their produce, especially their live
stock. Cows, sheep and pigs are SO
plentiful that the beautiful rolling
landscape is fairly dotted with them.
Neither is the farmer troubled with
a shortage of labor, as in England
Labor is plentiful and of good quail
ity, the laborers, not only in the agri'
cultural, but also in the Industrial dis.
tricts, being largely young men ano
women. This favorable labor situa'
ton is due largely to the fact thai
there has been practically no emigra'
ton from Ireland for three years, and
the thousands of young men and WON
en- who formerly set out for America
each month now remain in the eoun'
try.
Keeps Corn so Years.