Evening star., 1917-04-27
GROCERS TENDER
UNITED SUPPORT
Wholesalers Promise Coop
GRAFTON in Food Production
and Distribution.
PLAN ANNUAL CONVENTION

'.The government does not have to pass
a single law to insure our full and hearty
cooperation In any plan 1t proposes. We
are here in Washington anxious TO dc
something in behalf OF our country. all we
wish is TO be told what We can do"
| This is the statement of Theodore F.
| Whitmarsh, president OF the National
1 Wholesale Grocers' Association, with its
membership OF 1900 big wholesale grocers
in forty-eight states Of the Union.
| With Alfred IL Beckmann. secretary of
tho association. Mr.. Whitmarsh is In
Washington to offer to government Off
cials and members OF the council OF ma
uonal defense the fun support of his or
ganization IN any effort at production.
| conservation or distribution of food the
government may wish TO make.
Speaks for All the Members.
Il speak not only for the executive com
mittee. but for the members themselves,
because we have here written and tele-
graphic Endorsements OF our offers of pa
triotic aid. from most of the individual
members Of the association" said Mr.
Whitmarsh, as he displayed a sheaf of
letters and kilograms indorsing the ac-
ton of the ASSOCIATIONS officers
am fully convinced that most OF the
business men of this country feel the
same way Mr.. Whitmarsh continued
They realize that they must now place
their resources to aid the government, and
they stand ready. only waiting to do what
they are told"
As one of many evidences OF this attt
tude. MIR. Whitmarsh cited the action of
one OF the country's largest canning COM
panies the day after the government is
sued a statement that a serious shortage
in tin for canned goods impends
Now. this company had contracts to
hl, said Mr.. Whitmarsh. but it wrote
to the firms. putting the case up to them,
ana requesting cancellation of contracts
winch called for the canning of macaroni.
beans and other products which could be
conserved without canning.
10 man, the grocers who had con-
tracted for these goods consented to can
collation. OF contracts, and that company
has virtually Ceased sending out these
products in tin"
Two Suggestions Made.
Two things have been urged par
ticularly upon government officials by
Mr. Whitmarsh and Mr.. Beckmann.
One Is that all men who volunteer for
military service be accepted. whether
they are fit for military service or not,
be put IN uniform, and If they cannot
go In the fighting force. be kept at
home subject to the call of the gov
ernment for industrial needs.
The second is that, if conscription is
employed, the government Immediately
put all men in uniform, but withdraw
them from their places of work Rradu-
ally, SO that the Industries of the coun-
try may have time to supplant them
with other workers. mostly by women.
we believe that the government will
be performing a real service if il is
more than need be-" said Mr.. Whit
marsh.
Mr.. Whitmarsh believes the grocers'
association can be of great service in
aiding the government to handle the
problems of food distribution. Already
1t has taken steps toward eliminating
speculation in food products. because
Its members have refused to accept
contracts for future sales; because they
have offered TO sell the government
foodstuffs for vessels in various ports
at prices the government may name.
and because they have urged upon
grocers the wisdom of not overstock-
ing.
Assurances Of Patriotic Support.
The first step in this direction was
taken on the day when war was de-
SAe~A
ington. at the request of Mr.. Whit
marsh. called on the secretaries of War
and the Navy and other government
officials. rendering assurance of patriotic
support from the association A bull
letin was sent to all members telling
what had been done. and. as stated
hundreds of Endorsements of this action
We're received by telegraph, and later
by mail.
4 second bulletin. containing Presi-
dent Wilson's appeal to the nation.
with the portions relating to food
marked. was issued. with suggestions
as to how the grocers might aid in
carrying out the program of the Presi-
dent.
Recently tho association has had
printed a pamphlet entitled our on
portunity to Serve Our Country" and
thousands of copies of this pamphlet
are to be distributed to every food
merchant. wholesale and retail. all over
the United States. 1t will be circu
lated by retail grocers among their
customers. 1t is addressed to the pro-
ducer, merchant, consumer and all
loyal Americans.
Duty Of Loyal Americans.