The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-22
Old Peace Time Method of
Feeding Soldiers Is Re-
sponsible For It.
$125, GOO A DAY
GOES TO WASTE
Efforts of Food Administra-
ton to Have Such Loss
Checked, Rejected.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 21.-The
United States army in training
camps throughout the United States
is wasting approximately $125.O00
! worth of food each day through con-
tinuing the old peace-time methods of
feeding the soldiers, the food admin
istration officials hold.
The food experts assert that the
1 100000 odd men in camps now
consume from 20 to 25 per cent more
food than they normally require.
Efforts begun by the Food Admin
istration last August to have the
army adopt well prepared methods
of food conservation evolved by its
experts have been ignored and reject
ed by the army officials, it is
learned.
The Food Administration has with
in the past few days begun a renewed
effort not only to check criminal
waste by ignorant cooks and un-
trained mess sergeants, but to intro
duce methods of economy regarded as
essential in view of the food famine
which the whole world faces.
Food administration officials as
well as the citizens of the country at
large are, of course, anxious that the
country's fighting men shall have all
the food they need, but they hold
that the men can be given equally as
nutritious and palatable rations with
20 to 25 per cent. less materials Il
methods of economy are adopted.
Red tape and old army traditions
seem to be the principal obstacles
in the way of the Food Administra-
tion's efforts to have the army rec
ognize the existence of war and food
shortage conditions.
No attempt is being made by the
food officials, it is understood, to
regulate the rations of the expedi-
tionary force in France for it is
realized that the men on the battle
front must have proper nourishment
even though there may be some
waste.
Two of the principal old army
methods the Food Administration
wants to have abandoned during the
food crisis at least, are the plan of
having each company provide for it's
own subsistence through the mess
sergeant and cook, and the .ule of
making food allotments on a ten day
basis. Food experts insist the COM
pany method of feeding is uneconom-
lcal and that considerable saving
could be made by cooking in large
units, especially while in established
camps.
Secretary of War Baker approved
the plans of the Food Administration
some weeks ago and directed the Sur
geon General to thoroughly investi-
gate the suggestions, that the army
adopt a plan of conserving pork,
wheat, sugar, lard and other scarce
articles. One departure that has
been effected since the investigation
was begun is In the handling of gar
bage which was formerly given
away, in some instances to people
who made considerable money by sell
ing 1T for hog feed. It is now
planned to save all the fats from gar
bage and the results have been most
satisfactory where the experiment
has been tried.
Inc suggestion of the food experts
that the arnHy join with the people in
adopting a meatless and wheatless
DAY was rejected by war department
OFFICIALS who stick to the belief that
ilghtlng man must have meat every
day, and they continue feeding meat
and bread three times each day.
The latest suggestion made by the
Food Administration is that if the.
army officials are unwilling to adopt
any OF the rules offered, that ind,-
vldual regiments or companies be al
lowed to adopt meatless and wheat
less days and join with the people in
conserving food for our allies. Should
this plan gain anv foot hold in the
army, 1T is almost certain it would
spread to other companies and regi-
ments and would be a great exampi
for the civilian population.
A considerable lessening of the
waste of food in the army is expect
ed when the unframed cooks who
We're hastily chosen are relieved by
men who are being taught at the
COOKS training school now being con-
Quoted by the army, how to cook and
conserve food.