The Washington herald., 1917-10-19
WARNED
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the line down to the retailer. he de-
clared, already Is helping. But the
retailer has yet to toe the mark, be-
cause retail prices do not by any
means reflect the wholesale prices,
Mr.. Hoover asserted. With specu-
lating and profiteering absolutely
eliminated, the Food Administration
will, he said, take definite steps to
make sure the retailer lines up and
does his part.
The program calls for a survey of
retail prices. q survey of wholesale
prices, and pitiless publicity on both.
Wheat and -four regulations are
helping the situation. Mr.. Hoover
said. Asked when bread prices will
be set, he replied that the Food Ad-
ministration is awaiting a finding on
costs from the Federal Trade Com
mission. In answer to a query as to
why bread and flour are cheaper in
France and England than they are in
the United States. he said both coun-
tries subsidize these commodities.
Moreover. he said, in both countries
II is common to make bread of -four
that Is from IS to 40 per cent. meal
or potatoes. IL Americans want
cheap bread of this kind, he added,
they can have It. As long as they
prefer whole -four bread, Whey must
expect to pay more than Allied coun-
tries pay.
Conferences have been held dur
ing the past week with the repre-
sentatives of the principal retailers
associations in discussion OF con-
-
waste and exorbitant charges in
trade" said Mr.. Hoover. The as
sociations have undertaken to use
their every endeavor to ameliorate
prices. They need the cooperation
Of the consumers in reducing the
number of deliveries, and their sue
cess in all measures will rest largely
upon the support they receive from
local authorities"
Reviews Situation.
Mr. Hoover reviewed the situation
with regard to the various staple
foods, to show what the Food Ad-
ministration has done to improve con-
ditions. Summarized. his review fol-
lows:
"Flour-The current prices at which
flour is being sold at the mill in jute
bags vary somewhat with the local
ity and freight charges on wheat.
Regulations on distribution Of wheat
and the manufacture OF flour were
put into force the middle OF Septem-
Der. The average retail price on
First Patents in 1876 cities on October
l3 was s1377. or from $50 to 81 per
barrel higher than is warranted by
the price being paid to the millers.
The retail price has not wholly re-
sponded to reductions made by the
millers.
"Beans-The bean harvest this year
is estimated by the Department of
Agriculture at approximately 1000, 900
bushels in excess OF last year, nearly
double. The growers associations In
prominent bean-producing States are
holding beans for from Big to Is
cents per pound. as against an aver
age price realized last year by the
growers Of cents per pound.
40 Per Cent Drops In Corn.
"Corn-The harvest this year is co.,
100000 to 100000 bushels over last
year. and will be generally available
about the end of November. The price
AOoC " S-.oV per DuSHtl IN july ana
now stands at $50 per bushe! in Chi
cago. New corn is quoted in Chicago
at Sl.13 for December and indicates a
40 per cent drop in the price of corn
meal when the new corn is generally
available.
'Potatoes-We have a harvest OF SO
per cent in excess of last year. The
price at the leading points varies from
S1 tn % hrtr1raI
price. which is somewhat higher than
at this period last year, is due 10 a
tendency on the part of the producer
to hold the potatoes for higher prices
than last year. and to The temporary
inability of the railroads to furnish
equipment sufficient to move from
many sections the quantity available
at this time The larger supply of
cars and the large harvest warrant
lower prices later in the fall.
"Sugar-Beet sugar prices are being
controlled by the manufacturers on n
basis that should reach the retailer
from 5 to S1a cents per pound. A
temporary shortage n the Northeast
ern States gives no warranty for adj
vances by retailers to over cents per
pound. To provide equally good sub
stitutes for lard and cooking fats, the
Food Administration is arranging for
the import of larger supplies of cocoa
nut. palms. nuts. soya beans, oils. etc.
Beef-"Beef already shows some
tendency toward reduction in
wholesale prices. but these have not
been so far reflected in the prices
quoted by the retailer. The price
of beef at the packers door is IA 1-2
cents per pound as compared with
16 cents in July, while the average
retail price of round steak in 796
cities is 81 cents per pound against
81 cents in July. thus showing that
retail prices have increased while
wholesale prices have decreased"