The Washington times., 1917-02-24
PERKINS FIGHTS
HIGH FOOD PRICES
New York Committee Buys Four
Million Pounds of
Rice.
STARVING FAMILIES FOUND
Radical Program for Relief of
Exorbitant Charges
Is Initiated.
STARVING FAMILIES FOUND

NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-A determi
nation to do something to overcome
an intolerable economic situation that
mas converted the commonest of food
necessities into actual table luxuries
ied yesterday to the adoption of a
number OF radical programs for re-
lief.
Some Of the principal features of
the days fight, official and otherwise.
against high prices were as follows:
The mayors food supply com
nittee, OF which George w. Perkins
Is chairman, began a campaign to
popularize rice as a substitute for
high-price foods. 1t advises that con-
sumers pay no more than 8 cents a
pound for It II the retail price goes
up as the result of increased demand
the committee hopes to put Ii down
again by means OF 100000 pounds OF
rice which it has purchased and is
now holding, but will sell at present
prices. This, the committee says, will
insure the continuation of today's
price OF from 5 to cents a pound.
Mr.. Perkins and his colleagues also
bought carload of Pacific coast
smelts for sale here.
Buyers' Name Kept Secret.
Mr.. Perkins would not tell who put
up the money for the rice.
Members of the committee and
some of their friends" he said. 81
don't believe the names matter. No,
I did not put up all the money. Posi-
lively no.
At AZ cents, 100000 pounds of
rice would cost $3.50. 1000.
But one doesn't have to pay any
such sum all at once" Mr., Perkins re-
marked when the sum was mention
ed mot more than 5000 or $50, 900
is involved in the deal so far"
2-Joseph Hartigan. commissioner
of weights and measures. announced
that II public spirited citizens sub
scribe 100000 he can buy from new
market sources white potatoes, red
onions and sweet potatoes and retail
them in this city within twelve days
at Is per cent below the present
prices. Those who put up the cash
would get their money back, he said, |
and there would be a continuous ar
rival of these products for the next |
three months, with the consequent |
lowering Of general market prices |
here
3-The board of estimate and ap-
portionment passed a proposed amend |
ment to the city charter. which must |
be authorized by the legislature to |
become operative, giving the board |
power to appropriate city funds, in
the case OF emergencies, with which |
to buy foodstuffs and sell at cost
Few Families i'm Actual Want.
John A. Kingsbury, commits
sioner of charities, submitted a pre-
liminary report of a survey of con-
ditions among the city's poor, show
ing there is no evidence of real star
walton existing in the poorer sections.
Only twenty-five out of 1,472 families
interrogated are suffering from pri-
walton, and are in immediate need. 1t
was shown that deposits in savings
banks in the poorer districts had in
creased.
6-District Attorney Swami started an
investigation for the purpose of finding
out Just whether any combination Of
foodstuffs concerns or dealers are re-
sponsible for the big boost in prices.
Several dealers, called as witnesses,
blamed economic conditions, shortage of
supplies, lack Of labor on the farms,
and shrewd moneymaking farmers for
the present dilemma.
6-Mayor Mitchell received from vari-
ius parts Of the country letters asking IL
New York city was really suffering from
a shortage OF foodstuffs and suggesting
where various commodities were obtain
able.
Prices Prohibltive.
7-Commissioner Hartigan spent from
midnight until a m. at receiving piers
and other terminals and satisfied him &
self, he said. that lots Of onions and
potatoes arrived. but little was sold be-
cause Of prohibitive prices which are
being asked.
S-Because Of the boycott by Jews
of poultry on account of abnormal
prices, the live chicken market was
demoraliZed. Thirty carloads re-
manned on the tracks unsold. From I
eight to ten carloads remained unsold
in the hands OF the wholesalers. Many
distributors said they Would have to g
getUrn live chickens to shippers be- G
Cause they couldn't sell at any price. c
9-The Mothers Anti-High Cost League
completed plans for a protest parade
which will take place today. House I
wives will march from all parts of
the city, converging at Union and
Madison squares. A mass meeting ]
will take place at Madison square at I
. p. m. The league sent an appeal s
to President Wilson asking him to in }
sists that Congress shall appropriate
100000 for a Federal investigation 1
into the high cost of living.
1o-"Mother" Jones issued a call to the
American people to "get together" to
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