Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-05-29
CONSUMERS CRY FOR RELIEF

We are living in perllous t'iies'
Nation continues to rise against ma
ton, millions of human beings IN
different parts of the world are being
t.;xed almost beyond endurance 70
keen the wolf from their doors,
while crops are failing and hundreds
are being killed by the forces Oh
nature in our own country. In VIZ
ginia yesterday high winds, light
ming. and hail caused untold damage
While the country is facing sueh
conditions, and at time, too, when
we are called upon to girt on the
sword and fight for our sovereignty
against an INSCRIPTIONS and cruel
foreign nation. food spectators and
food cornerers are adding to. our
distress. The common necessaries OF
life are soaring almost beyond the
reach of people of ordinary means,
while Congress seems disposed to
do nothing in order to curb those
who are amassing millions at the
expense of their helpless fellow
creatures.
The authorities of the larger
cities say they never witnessed the
accumulation Of so much money by
food handlers, who corner everything
which enters into the necessities OF
life and compel long-suffering ma
. ton ito pay their prices.
But as soon as some measure is
proposed in Congress to bring relief
a hue and cry is raised and those
responsible for such conditions show
resentment toward our lawmakers
when they attempt to interfere with
what they term their Legitimate
business" ~
Dealers are quoted as saying:
"Here is our golden opportunity"
and they have seized it.
An item in yesterdays Gazette
called attention to the fact that
while Alexandrians are paying 30
cents a quarter of a peck for pota-
toes they were selling in Baltimore
Saturday at 10 cents.
Men who take advantage of their
fellow-beings by reaping rich har-
vests by injustice at times when
their victims are unable to help
themselves are of all the most exc
cradle During our civil war Balti-
more and Ohio train was on its way
from Washington to the monumental
city. Among the passengers was a
man wearing a costly fur overcoat.
His general get-up showed he was
man of wealth. He was engaged
in conversation with man of his
own class. Both were accommodating
fortunes in the handling of food
while thousands were being killed
on the battle fields and many more
suffering for the necessaries of life.
The man in the heavy fur coat turned
to his companion and said: "Weil,
if the war will continue one year
longer l will have feathered my
nest" A few seats back of this
interesting couple was a middle-aged
woman, wearing faded clothes and
minus winter wraps. She had list
ened to the conversation of the two
men, and rising from her seat she
approached the man who was anx-
lous that the war would continue an
other year and said: "Sir. ! heard
You say you desired this conflict to
last another year." The man cringed
before. the woman, who continued:
Il have lost husband and SON in
the war, and at present have to
exc out an existence as best I can.
Many of the actual necessaries Of
life are beyond my reach. and yet
you want such conditions to con-
tinue in order that you may fill your
Golfers and bring similar distress
upon thousands more"
Other passengers had their at
tention attracted to the trio, and
after the woman had administered
her reprimand the passengers be-
came indignant and ran the two
spectators off the train, threaten !
ing 20 hang them by the bell cord |
There is well-known passage in !
the Bible which applies to all such
$50 to now. We rich
men weep ,$and' howl for your miseeir-
les that shall come upon you. Your
riches are corrupted, and your gar
MeAts are moth-eaten. Your gold
and silver is cankered; and the rust