The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-11-10
LOUISIANA SHOWING THE WAY.
Pelican State Setting Fine Example
of Patriotic Cooperation.

of Patriotic Cooperation.
The United States Food Administra-
ton is still we'll pleased with the
democratic progress of the food
pledge card campaign. Louisiana re-
mains in front, of course, but the
other states have been responding
splendidly. H. J. Hill, who is direct
ing the campaign, and who conducted
the famous drive for funds for the
American Red Cross, estimates that
the national rally week will show one
half of the homes of the land enrolled
in the army of food conservation.
No matter how excellently the
other states perform, they will always
be able to find examples in Louisiana.
John M. Rogers, of Mansfield, school
superintendent for DeSoto, took
charge of the campaign in that par
ish. It was calculated the county
contained 6168 families. Mr.. Rogers
compiled a census of his own which
showed there were 6983 families.
Then he decided it was his duty and
that of his volunteer staff to reach
them all. Each home in the parish
was reached, with the exception of AZ
inaccessible. Of the remainder the
signatures of all but eleven families
were obtained, 1926 pledge cards be-
ing turned in. It is doubtful if this
record will be equalled in this or any
other state.
One of the newest steps in the or
ganization of Louisiana cooperation
was the appointment of Theodore
Grunewald as chairman of the hotel
and restaurant committee. A list was
compiled and John M. Parker, food
administrator for Louisiana, wrote to
each eligible in the state appealing to
them to save food and help win the
war. Special request was made to
have Tuesday and Friday meatless
days, Wednesday wheatless day, and
to conserve all the sugar possible
every day. The replies have already
begun to come in and the spirit dis
played is very encouraging. Nearly
all the eating places have already
adopted various conservation meas
ures, and they are willing to go the
limit to back up the government and
the food administration. Several of
them recommend sugarless days as
well. One of the answers came from
Quong Sung, proprietor of a restau-
rant at Eunice, whose original nation
atty may be guessed. He gave as
special reasons for standing by the
flag the fact that he had served in the
United States navy for five years, and
that two of his sons are now with
Uncle Sans fighting forces in the
field.
The merchants of Louisiana con-
tinue to do their share and will be
one of the factors in the follow-up
food card fight. Shreveport, Baton
Rouge, and other merchants have
Icombined IN food conservation advers
tising display pages in their local pa
pers. Many have erected special
signs and arranged window displays
to attractive1y visualize the logic and
patriotism of the food cause. New Or
leans has some publicity devices as
striking as any in the country. S. j.
Shwartz, merchants representative
for Louisiana, hit upon the novel and
efficient idea Of enlisting the em-
ployees of all the large retail stores
in the city to sign the pledge cards,
and number of the establishments
secured the full one-hundred per cent,
men as we'll as women. The plegees
agreed especially to foster meatiess
and wheatless days both in their own
homes and in-s such others as they
| could influence. In several OF the
| largest stores, where there are
restaurants for the employees, there
have been two meatless and wheatless
DAYS each week and the workers have
| learned that there is no deprivation
| or sacrifice involved. The object les
son is an aid in spreading observance
of the governments request Mr..
| Shwartz has circularized the pleas and
the examples among all the merchants
of the state.
The licensing system went into ef-
| feet Nov. l, but none of the licenses
have vet been issued. All wholesale
concerns and retail establishments
doing business of over 100000
year come under the plan. They are
expected to keep records so as to be
able to make the required reports OF
business done and stock on hand for
November by Dec. /. The food ad-
ministration's purpose is to discourage
excessive profits, speculation and
boarding. It is intended to prevent
concerns which have their license re-
voked from doing business, and Il
censed concerns will not be permitted
to deal with these branded offenders
Small retailers, exempt from license
if convicted Of extortion, will be
| democratically dealt with in the same
way, being unable to purchase goods
from licensed wholesalers. The plat
is expected to work out and to keel
down food prices, but, like all othe'
movements for the public good, de
mands the most complete cooperation
in order to bestow the fullest benefit
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