New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-13
Food Believed to Have Been
Intended for Ship
ment Abroad
Nationwide Search
For Caches Begun
Government to Distribute
$4,000, ,000Worth of Goods
Discovered Hidden Here

AuOIHtT mllllOn OOilhrS' worth OF
eggs, boarded in cold storage in New
York City without the governments
knowledge, has been discovered by
United States Secret Service operatives
under Chief William j. Flynn, accord
ing to a report issued yesterday from
the Office of the Secret Service in the
Custom House.
The unearthing of this supply makes
total of s4,294 ,434 worth of eggs
alone found here recently, in addition
to metals, grains and various foodstufs
valued at more than S70,000,000, all of
which had been securely hidden away,
presumably for speculative purposes
or for export TO neutral countries
which in the past have been feeding
Germany from the larder OF the Allies.
While the warehouse men of New
York City and officials Of the Mer-
chants Association were protesting
most violently yesterday against the
reports Of the discovery of secret
stores, the United States Food Admin
istration in Washington announced
that all the foodstuffs unearthed by the
New York Secret Service men probably
would be thrown on the American
market
No Chance of Export
It was asserted that if the foreign
owners Of these stores could show that
they are entitled to the products and
that no embargo against their exporta-
tion is in effect, they might be al
lowed 10 ship them. However, as every
item of export to neutral countries is
under full control of the government,
acting in accord with our Allies, there
is said TO be no chance of the supplies
being exported.
Washington reports stated the food
administration had opened negotiations
by cable with the foreign owners with
a view Of purchasing the supply. But
there was no secret made of the fact
that unless the foreign owners give
their permission to sell other action
will be taken.
The item of hidden stores which
most interested the food administra-
tion officials was the 100000 bushels
Of oats consigned to Holland. Ordi-
narily Holland uses almost no oats, but
Germany has been short Of oats for
her cavalry. It was said that the ac-
tivities Of the Secret Service men in
New York City were only part Of a
nationwide investigation. Every ware
house and cold storage plant, every
conmodious cellar and loft throughout
the big cities Of the land is being ran
sacked by the Federal Secret Service
force.
Salt Reported Found
Reports were current on the New
York waterfront that a continued
search by Chief Flynn's operatives had
disclosed two shiploads Of salt, OF
which there had been no previous re-
port.
Arthur Williams. Federal Food Ad-
roinistrator for New York City, talked
70 United States Food Administrator
Hoover yesterday morning by long
distance telephone, seeking advice on
bow hest TO cooperate in the investiga-
,ion now under way. After his con-
1T, vr Williams said that Mr..
uoover had q complete list OF the
owners of the foodstufs and metals
ding nm here. He said that full credit
should be given to Mr.. Hoover lor 'he
la "a certain proportion Of the supplies,
js being held for speculative purposes,
Wr. Williams said, land persons sus
nected of food boarding are DeI"b
watched. ,,h,,or
sons who are at least partly respons
HE for the present food shortage crlsis.
,rbosa are the men who are anxious 10
roske II as difficult az possible to feed
n',r Allies. the men who in all proDa
bility are handling German funds. II
the men aiding the enemy are touna
and convicted, the whole drastic power
~ The government will fall upon
n was announced that T. ". Walcott'
renresenting Mr.. Hoover, will arrlve
bere Tomorrow 20 attend conference
an Tbursday with Mr.. Williams ana
John Mitchell, chairman Of the state
Food Administration. II was said that
following this meeting inyestigators
will be sent out 10 make thorough
and Systematic survey OF all the 1000
stores in New York State.
The local food administrators we're
rnaryellinR over the discoveries Of hid
den stores here yesterday morning
when complsints began TO pour INTO
the Federal, state and city branches
Of eztortionate prices charged by
yholesalers. The complainants were
retail merchants, all Of whom were re-
ferred 20 City Market Commissioner
Moskowitz. who called Il meeting in the
afternoon Of the retailers.
Merchants Charge Gouging
The merchants said they were being
oouged indirectly By wholesalers and
iobbers on sugar purchases In the most
,,,nerciful fashion. The price Of
snoar. they ssid, was strictly ns fixed
Is.he agreement between the refners,
y aie,slers. jobbers and the represent
N.tgss ~ the food adminiBtrstion, But
80 retailers said they could get no