The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-02-23
WASHINGTON POOR
CLAMOR FOR FOOD
Thousands of Appeals Pouring
In Upon Charity Workers
as Prices Soar.
PITIFUL CASES REVEALED
Women Supporting Families
First Observation-Disclosures
Forced to Ask Help.

With food riots spreading over the
country and women boycotting the
still rising prices, the food situation
in Washington and all cities of the
United States is becoming more seri-
Gus hourly.
Thousands of appeals for food are
being received by charity workers in
this city. The number far exceeds
any for months. Missions have re-
duced bills of fare, cutting out some
of the most important articles of food
value.
War prices prevail hear even more
than in other cities. Women's clubs
are advocating the boycotting of foods
like potatoes and onions. Hominy,
lima beans, rice and spaghetti have
become more popular than ever, ac-
cording to dealers.
Families Go Hungry.
Families, the earning capacity OF
which ranges from SO to So a week.
are going hungry. Wholesale dealers
at the Center Market have refused to
handle many former staples, which
are now luxuries.
Although no bread lines have been
formed here, superintendent Of mis-
sions, at which the poor of the city
congregate, believe that If present
conditions continue, hundreds will be
daily visitors before another fort
night eIapses.
All winter the number of individ-
uals and families supplied with food
at the missions has been increasing.
More persons are fed now than ever
before in the history of some of the
institutions. Not only the men, "bums"
or unfortunates, apply, but also the
working-m who commands a mod
crate wage Is compelled to ask aid.
Living conditions are described as
appalling. Men with families of four,
six, ten or twelve, earnings perhaps
SO a week, no longer, can Withstand
the onslaught of high prices and for
the nrst time in their lives are asking
help.
Women I'm Dire Need.
Women deserted by their husbands,
or with invalid husbands, parents and
families to support, are bringing bas-
kets to the doors Of missions, begging
for food to feed their hungry chill
dren- Many cases are disclosed of
women bravely keeping family to-
gether on 81 or IS a week, who have
49, OOSA AOA SC0 " SuSCuLlD " lIAC
high cost Of living.
Z Persons are everywhere suggesting
methods of reducing the cost of liy-
tng. Most of these favor dropping
such foods as potatoes. onions and
meats from the menu. Much of this
advice is superfluous. Months ago
hundreds of families in this city
were forced to omit three foods.
Dried lima beans, hominy and canned
tomatoes, sphagetti, corn and peas
are being widely used.
Baltimoreans, forced into bread
lines, are receiving loaves OF bread
in proportion to the size of their
family. Cards have been distributed
by the Salvation Army and other
charitable organizations there, sim
liar to those in use in Germany.
Philadelphia is contending with
food riots as violent as those of New
York. Thousands of Philadelphia
women last night paraded the streets
all night, breaking into shops and
destroying or throwing kerosene over
the contents. Fear of fire and pillage
kept eevry reserve policeman on duty.
Hog Prices Going Up.
Chicago dealers said dressed hogs |
are going even higher than the pres |
emit price of S12.95 for 100 pounds. |
This is so cents more than the record |
price since the civil war. The price |
here is S14 per 100 pounds.
Onions today reached the highest |
price ever paid for them here. Deal |
ers who had some on hand obtained |
almost any price asked. Many sold |
for $50 for 100 pounds. Several of |
the largest wholesale dealers in this |
city refused to buy onions at the SIS |
or SIG a hundred pounds asked for |
carload lots. 1t was predicted that
the price would be forced down by |
the lack of demand.
Potatoes today held their own at
IS a barrel; although it was rumored
that several barrels were sold at
high as 50. That the price of pota-
toes in this city is much higher than
it is in the warning countries is but
to be expected, dealers declare. Ger
many and England, from which coun-
tries vast quantities of potatoes were
imported, are unable to send out the
great crops. This throws immense
amounts on the market there, keep
Ing the price nominal despite war