New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-02

Mayor Mitchel's food committee made
its first attack upon the high price Of
provisions yesterday by dumping 10000
pounds of Pacific Coast smells into the
market. These fish have been selling
for from 16 to rs cents pound. The
committees price was s cents.
On Monday the body will strike It's
second blow by placing 100000 pounds
Of Brazilian beans and large amount
OF hominy on sale.
The arrival Of the smelts was the
chief development in the food situation
yesterday. Other happenings indicated
that the economic pressure was tighten
ing.
Commissioner Hartigan, of the Blu
reau Of Weights and Measures, said
that the food spectators in onions and
potatoes were becoming more worried
over the boycott Potatoes dropped to
cents a pound decrease OF cents
within a week.
The Hebrew retail grocers OF the city
have formed a 100000 cooperative So
ciety, through which they plan to elm
mate the middlcman and purchase their
wares direct from the wholesaler. The
poultry boycott continued, despite the
promise Of the dealers 10 sell at low
prices If il were withdrawn.
When the carload of fish arrived yes
terday morning, George ". Perkins,
chairman of the Mayors food commit
tee. sent his motor car through the
East Side. displaying samples to the re-
tail dealers there. John ". McGrath,
his secretary. accompanied the samples
and was empowered to make sales ar
engagements.
Automobile Besieged
When the automobile, with the box
Of fish prominently displayed, entered
the congested districts Of the East Side
and the housewives learned its mission
it was besieged Not content TO wait
for the sale of the fish, women fought
for the samples. When Mr.. McGrath
returned the box of smelts was half
empty.
Finding it impossible to make enough
advance arrangements, Mr.. Perkins
sent an express wagon through the
East Side, placing the smelts with
dealers who would receive them. A
scramble of housewives usually fol-
lowed Immediately the placing OF plac-
ards announcing the sale of the fish IN
store windows. Crowds followed the
wagon to see where the next consign-
ment would be placed and TO be first
i'm line TO buy. The placards furnished
by the committee said:
This store is cooperating with us
in an effort to reduce the cost OF
food, and has agreed 20 sell our
special consignment OF freshly
caught Pacific Coast smelts, which
have just arrived, at six cents
pound. Try them, and write us at
once what you think of them.
- IL sch N
can arrange to have large quantities
brought to this market az about the
above price"
Fish Called Excellent
Mr.. Perkins and other members of
the Mayors Food Committee had some
of the fish served them for luncheon
Yesterday and pronounced them excel
lent. The FISH were inspected by the
Health Department on their arrival and
declared in first class condition. They
are slightly smaller than the variety
usually sold here.
Only one report was received oil East
Side housewives refusing 70 buy the
fish. When the wagon began to sup
ply stores in the neighborhood OF Mon
roe and jefferson streets some women
announced they had boycotted the
SHOPS, ana Noulu uOL ONN Aht tL7A 49,
less sold directly by the city. They as
serted that if the Mayor would estab-
lish a market and sell fish there they
would gladly become his customers.
As part Of its efforts TO lower the
cost OF living, the Mayors committee
is going 70 try to teach New Workers
10 eat hominy A large supply has
been arranged for. and this, with more
than 500 900 mounds of Brazilian beans,
will be placed on sale Monday. The
beans are brown and slightly smaller
than the usual white variety. They
have been tested by the Health De-
partment and pronounced highly nutn-
tious and palatable.
Although the committee has large
stock Of rice in reserve. none VIII be
sold unless dealers make an attempt
10 boost the price of rice. In that
event the committees supply will be
used 10 keen the rates down.