Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-12-05
Rules Less Drastic Than Ger
many's, But Less Lax
Than Ours.
EXPLAINED BylORD RH0NDDA
Chief Aim Is to Safeguard the Inter.
est Of Consumers First Of ALI
Imposes Little compui-
S sorry Rationinc.

In food saving are now being main
tanned by three great nations, the
United States, Great Britain and Ger
many.
The German idea Is strict rationine
Of the consumer, ana recently the Unit,
ed States food administration issued
figures showing the present German
| ration, which is meager as to variety
and far below average dietetic re.
! Quirements.
The American idea in food saving Is
to secure voluntary cooperation. as far
as possible, from both the public and
the producer and handlers Of food ar.
ticles.
The British idea lies between the
two. As little compulsory rationing as
possible Is imposed upon the general
public. But there is farreaching and
rigid supervision Of all food articles
by regulating the manufacturers and
merchants, by the establishment Of
maximum prices, and after December
80 rationing cards are to be issued for
sugar.
what Lord Hhonooa 8AyA
A statement just issued by Lord
Rhondda. the British food controller,
describing the British system Of food
control gives q succinct and a clear
picture for comparison Of the food-sav-
ing measures which are now being fol-
lowed In the United States.
Lord Rhondda says:
my aim is to safeguard the inter
ests Of the consumer, to do away with
profteering altogether. and to prevent
excessive profits Of any kind. The
framework Of our machinery is formed
on the civil service. They are the ad-
illustrators, but In all cases we Sc
cure the best available business men to
advise them, as well as a number Of
expert committees dealing with almost
every food commodity. The policy is
to limit profits at every step from the
producer to the consumer, and at the
same time to regulate supply.
"A costings department under the
direction of chartered accountants has
been set up, through which the profits
uduC uAy IN
of food can be ascertained. The coun-
try has been divided into separate
areas, in each Of which q leading firm
Of accountants has been appointed by
this department to do the necessary
work. Reasonable profit based on pre-
war rates is added to the present cost,
the price limits agreed on that basis,
after consultation with the representa-
lives Of the trades concerned.
Sixteen Food Divisions.
Decentralization Is obtained by d.
viding Great Britain into 10 food d.
visions. consisting of so many coun-
ties. Each division Is under the su-
perintendence Of a commissioner ap-
pointed by the food controller. In
each Of these divisions the borough,
urban or rural district councils, or
other local authorities. appoint local
food committees. with limited powers
and certain discretion, to carry out
such regulations as regards price and
distribution as may be issued from
headquarters.
, Local tradesmen are registered with
their local committees, and II any
| tradesman does not carry out regula-
lions and orders he may be struck on
the register and prevented from fur
Their trading. The various orders fix'
ing or amending the maximum prices
| OF meat, milk, potatoes, bread. etc. are
| communicated to the local committees
and the trades and public are Informed
through the daily and trades press A
stan Of inspectors Ii kept at headquar
tiers, and number Of sentences have
been imposed by magistrates through
out the country for contravendon OF
the regulations. The general penalty
Is q fine not exceeding 500. or Q tern
Of six months imprisonment, with Of
without hard labor. or both. This pun
ishment may be inflicted for every sev
eral offense. purpose to make tn
penalties more severe.
Il "while the prices Of practically al
essential foods are now under control
no compulsory rationing IL imposed OF
the general public, although all publ
eating places are rationed as to tn
amount Of meat, flour. bread and suga
which may be used In every week o.
the basis of an average for each meal
After December 80 only half poun'
Of sugar per capita will be permitted
This will be obtainable through q sya
TEN VI each consuming householder 0
: consumer registering with specifics
retailer, and securing from the loca
, | <c<<3 <>ovnunaffao q card emitting hi