Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-09-06
CHEAPER BREAD,
HOOVER'S PROMISE
A Sixteen Ounce Loaf for Ten
and Perhaps for Eight
Cents.
DEALERS WILL COOPERATE
Important Step Ii Taken toward Re-
storing Living Expenses to Nor
NAL Level.
DEALERS WILL COOPERATE

Washington, Aug. 31-Prospects Of an
early and radical reduction in bread
prices apparently vanished tonight VIXEN
Herbert Hoover, the food administrator.
announced that the best the public may
expect is a IS ounce loaf for ten cent or
possibly eight cents.
The eight cent loaf Of 16 ounces is pos
sible. Mr. Hoover said. only II bakers, re-
tailers and consumers unite to eliminate
wasteful distribution for bread produc-
ton.
Members of the wheat price committee
which recommended the price Of $40
fixed by President Wilson for wheat de-
clared after their work was ended that
the committee was convinced It was pos
sible to make and sell IA ounce loaf OF
bread for five cents.
MILLERS ACCEPT SMALL PROFITS.
The country's millers have agreed to hold
their profits on flour to Is cents a barrel
Under this agreement Mr.. Hoover said
-four should retail in New York at from
ST. to $12.75 a barrel. The price Of bakers
patent flour to small bakers and retailers
he said should be from $1o.35 to SLIPS. The
average retail price of family patent In
New York from April to August has beer
$15.3s. At present bakers patent is selling
in New York to 1obbers at $1o.65. which
would make 1t cost small bakers and re-
tailers about $11.00.
Mr.. Hoover made II clear that under
the food control act, except in isolated
instances. the food administration has no
control of prices from the time flour
reaches the wholesaler until it is sold by
bakers and retailers as bread. price
reduction can be accomplished only by
voluntary action by bakers and retailers
and by the assistance Of the public in
eliminating waste.
EASTERN FLOUR PRICES.
Flour prices in cities other than New
York. Mr.. Hoover said. probably will be
about as follows. based on the New
York price:
Boston 10 cents more; Pittsburg 10 cents
less; New Orleans Is cents less: Chicago
IS cents less: Minneapolis 80 cents less
and Kansas City 90 cents less.
OF bread prices and prospects Of a re-
duction Mr.. Hoover said:
AT the prospective prices for flour II
Is improbable that a full 16-ounce loaf
can be delivered to the consumer for less
than 10 cents per loaf. unless the con-
sumner will join with the bakers and re-
tailers In eliminating needless cost. 1t
may be possible to reduce the cost OF
bread by about two cents per loaf IL CO.
operation Of the bakers. consumers and
retailers can be secured to secure stand
ardixed loaf, and IL wasteful practices
which have grown W out Of competitive
conditions can be eliminated and with a
reduction IN credit and delivery be
brought about.
CHEAPER BREAD IN SIGHT
Some bakers Of a large volume and
with special delivery condition may
even be able to increase this saving
somewhat.
The baking Of large loaves under
non delivery and cash sales conditions
in large sections of Europe would per-
init the sale of bread at the bakery
door Of a 16-ounce loaf from this pros
pective price Of -four at six cents. The
highest labor cost. fuel costs and meth
DDS Of distribution through retailers
delivery. credit and other expensive
re-handling systems of the United
States enhance the price"
The wheat corporation, organised un.
der the food administration to purchase
wheat for the government and for the
allies. will start operations tomorrow
although 1t actually will do little bust
ness. II was said to-day. before Sep.
TENDER 10.
Seed wheat. II was announced, will
not be held to the price schedule fxed
by President Wilson. 1t is realized tina,
seed is of a better grade than ordinary
classes and no effort will be made to
control the price. Farmers will re.
Quire about 80. 1000, 900 bushels for plant
ing fall and spring crops this year.