Evening journal., 1917-08-08
STORAGE HOUSES
FOR POTATO CROP
Socialists Send Letter TO
Governor and Mayor
Urging Such Plan
TELL HOW DETROIT
HANDLED PROBLEM

Urging the establishment OF mu-
nicipal-owned storage houses, where
potatoes and the like may be stored
by private citizens, members Of the
Socialist party have sent the following
letter to Governor Townsend and
Mayor lawson advocating such action
by the State and city. The letters read
as follows;
wilmington. Del, Aug. 4, 1917.
Hon. John G. Townsend, Governor Of
Delaware, Selbyville. Del.
Dear Slr-At the meeting OF the
Central Branch Of the Socialist party.
Friday. August 3, It was voted TO COM
munlcate with you regarding the con-
servation Of the expected tremendous
potato crop.
Perhaps the matter is already
under consideration by yourself and
your fellow officials, In line with
what is being advised by Dr.. Alonzo
e. Taylor, government food expert,
who Is quoted as saying, Unless great
warehouses are promptly built for
storing potatoes IN such great centers
as Chicago, l fear that large part OF
the enormous crop will be wasted"
According 10 this mornings paper the
food committee Of the Pennsylvania
Public Safety Committee, on sugges-
ton Of L eutenant Governor McClain,
is to meet next Thursday 70 consider
the subject.
I'VE do not know what provision for
storing and preserving the potato
crop may, on consideration, seem
most practical, and best calculated 10
prevent It falling into the hands OF the
food spectators. Perhaps Il may be
dec ded TO follow Dr. Taylors sugges-
ton and at once build storage houses,
rather than 10 be at the mercy Of the
private cold storage and other kinds OF
private food depots. II will likely be
difficult for the average family to store
their own supply. owing 20 lack OF
space or because of furnace neat
should they have cellar room.
ON this connection, may we Suggest
that the city Of Cleveland, In one OF
the three market houses which II
owns has cold storage lockers TOT
rent. or course, we as Socialists
would not live up 90 our reputation
did we OF heartily and continually al
/ vocate the very much greater extern
sion of Democratic control by the peo
. pie TO many things now operated tol
, proft Excessive proht), by privileged
corporations; but surely, even tnos'
who may be preiudiced against Social
] ism. whether they understand It Of
not. should be able to see what a prac
+ tical and effective help II would be !
the city OF Wilmington, and other Del
aware cities now owned a cold stor
age plant similar to the one in CleVe
b land. and IN addition would one
. lockers for rent TO families VINO wish
ed 10 store a supply OF potatoes sum
{ Client for the winter.
81 "Alav we request that you endeaN'
y 10 have some action taken on the matt'
q bv the proper department. at once, an
would il be asking too much II we II
{ | ouestcd that full information be secure
y Nv your office regarding the taciliti'
o. ! and methods Of operation Of the OleV'
I land market house with its cold storae
D equipment, also regarding any oth'
s | similar establishments IN other cite
3 and that YOU publish such informatio
D in our local papers in order that IN
10 citizens Of Wilmington and the stat
{ NAV be IN a position to take intelliget
% actionl
s 'Niav we hope you will not consid..
II our request improper, and that you WI
e he able to comply while the matter is
d such great Importance
II May we mention that man wh
was honored by four terms as mayo
n of Detroit II. S. Pingree. considere
n potatoes Of so much Importance tins
they became associated with nj
d name. owing to the effort he made
st provide them for the people? Dos
not the present time warrant eve
t. more extensive action, Of dinereT
&c kind. than he tookg
~ eff In any way. we can be OF Sc
vice in the securing Of data. {
i'd otherwise. will you promptly no'il
~ us?
be Respectfully,
We Central Branch, Socialist Party,
.'s1b Market Street, Wilmington, Del