New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
oamoer Yield, Not Inqui-
D ,;.s Will Cut Food Cost,
Hartigan Says
EXPORTS INCREASE
NATURAL SHORTAGE
soeculation Only Partly to
blame as Staples Soar
TO Record Level

r,lsss the spring crop Of garden
!, from the South and Southwest
=. unusually large, this city faces
.,iod OF high prices for foodstufs
'.,.-.lslled in its history. With the
-. Of all stable commodities
r,rp,ing rapidly. led by potatoes
.s,.res and onions, which have al
az scared to record heights, the
=, hope for relief lies in a bumper
.,ns crop, according to Joseph
s,rigan. Commissioner of Weights
:, Measures, and secretary of the
y.ror,s Committee on Food Supply.
S,ould the crops in some sections
...v. failures, the city will be con-
s.,,sd BIZ an alarming situation,
Commissioner Hartigan declared.
rhsre is no hope of immediate re-
u in inquiries or Investigations or
:, other Official action, Commission
:. Hsrtiran declared. The present
s,.,.iOn is the result of abnormal
editions which no legal measures
N alter.
Three underlying reasons are es-
,,,tislly responsible for the present
~ food prices, the Commissioner
,serted These are:
subnormal production. The failure
, nartial failure of certain crops has
r,stly decreased the supply of food
,rOduets.
An abnormal amount of exports.
sree the war began. and especially
thin the last six months, an eX-
,ssve amount Of food products has
urs out Of this country to help feed
Europe.
A large increase in the consumption
4 ioodstuFs in this country, due
rrinarily TO the general prosperity
,-Ourht on BY the war. which has
assed many American families TO in
-ssse their table expenditures.
Aggravated by Speculation
Nh Hartigan said that speculation
products has merely tended to ag-
rsyste the situation.
II seems to be an individual privi-
20 for any dealer in food products
: this country to hold back his sup
lies for higher prices, if he chooses
(, do So" said the Commissioner yes
s-tsy. There doesn't seem to be
az effective way as yet to stop this
gactiee. There have been investiga-
tons and Inquiries going on for the
81 two and a half years, and yet
i,body has ever been arrested or in
sctsd or fined.
4 am afraid that New York will ex-
xnsnee such high prices in the next
tire months as 70 make the situation
tirning.
Potatoes, cabbages and onions are
re scarcest OF all the fresh food prod
Its az present. and that is why the
ires Of onions has shot up TO Sl4 for
! lW-pound bag, potatoes 20 SO a bag
nd cabbage 70 II cents a pound re-
al.
Wholesale dealers state that canned
i,ods are disappearing from the mar
isi and that reserve stocks are en-
arsly wiped out. This condition is
ne, it is said, 20 the vast amount Of
AIMED and preserved foodstuffs pur-
t.ssed here b. foreign countries for
...ure shipment. The situation is par.
.s1iArly serious in view Of the &C
Ecvledged shortage.
CEREALS in enormous quantities are
szg shipped out of the country
iAelesale dealers complain that they
ztnot III retail orders. One large
trssl concern is reported TO have con
'7cted for 100000 barrels Of prepared
AZ to De delivered at seaboard before
ne !, 1917.
Fetal dealers in all parts Of the
y state that they are obliged 70 pay
7sa' their credit being cut out alto
's:asr By wholesalers or reduced 70
= minimum
List Shows Increases
4 table showing the increase in the
zee Of staple commodities since June,