Evening star., 1917-09-10
FLOUR TO DROP So
A BARREL SHORTLY
Twenty Per Cent Decrease
Promised Under Co-0pera-
tive Price Regulation.
SUGAR TO BE LOWER OCT. I

Cooperative regulation Of grain, flour
and sugar has reached the stage where
the food administration today made OIL
cial announcement of definite price de-
creases to the consumer.
Regulation of wheat becomes effective
today, and in q few days -four regula-
.tion also will be under way. Sugar con-
troll becomes effective October l..
A soon as the -four from the wheat
sold under the new control plan goes on
the market a saving of 50 per barrel,
wholesale, over the average price of the
last four months is promised to the con-
vumer.
Sugar to Drop October I.
Sugar already has dropped some. but
by the time the control becomes COM
plete, on october 1. drop of about
81. so per hundred pounds over the mid
August price is expected.
Since about 100000 barrels of -four
is consumed in the United States each
month the saving to the American peo-
pie is reckoned at $30.000.00O month.
The saving in sugar will be about
50, 900, 900 a month, representing 20
per cent decrease in consumers eXpen-
diture in mid-August. and a drop of 2
cents a pound over the price at that
time This decrease already has been
effected to some extent.
Further important steps in the food
situation are to be taken this week,
with the meeting here of the war emer-
gency council of the master bakers of
the country. The council began its
sessions today. 1t took up the question
of a standard loaf, increased efficiency
in the plants and curtailment of profits
to a war time minimum. Wednesday
meat packers of the country are to
meet with the food administration. and
| their conference. following that of the
live stock men last week, is expected to
clear the way for reduction of meat
prices, increased production and facili-
tated distributions
Seek to Lower Milk Cost.
Though without legal authority for
the control of milk prices. the food
administration is working toward a de-
crease in the price of feed and other
supplies needed by the producer before
| October /, when the fall change to the
winter price scale is made. The fact
| that the producers have confidence in
| this effort has been indicated in many
cities as it was when the Maryland
and Virginia Milk Producers Associa-
ton met here Saturday. and delayed
administration had ample opportunity
to effect reduction in feed and
| fodder.
that has faced the food administration
| tion of grain and sugar interests means
the issuance of 10000 licenses to the
grain men. millers and sugar refiners.
So far the food administration has
achieved its ends. according to the
, promise of Mr.. Hoover, it was pointed
ont today by one of his lieutenants.
without resort to punitive measures.
Mr.. Hoover is disposed to give fullest
credit to grain growers. millers and
sugar men who sent representatives
here. and in large measure adopted the
! war measures which will enable them
| to sell their own products at cheaper
| price. This is a phenomenon. 1t IS
nointed out. most unusual in the midst
| Of war time. when prices usually go
, skvhooting and defy efforts at govern
ment regulation.
Retailers in Line, Too.
Under the law. the food admintstra-
| t;on has no control over retail prices.
and at any event before retail prices
| come down there must be a reduction
! in wholesale prices. Retail men have
| shown the same dlSpoSitioH W Co-opSl =
ate as have the wholesalers. and their
nrices, it is stated, already have kept
| sten with the downward trend in sugar
nr;ces. and are expected to do so as
last as other wholesale prices are af-
Publication of wholesale prices. and
| the mower of the government to pre-
| vent boarding. are believed to be the
| oniv weapons needed to compel retail
ers TO give the consumer the full bene-
At Of wholesale price reductions. Many
| states and cities have powers sufficient.
| through local legislation, to deal with
| recalcitrant retailers.
| In the commodities mentioned the
food administration also set a speed
record, by getting together the indus
tries and effecting plans of cooperation
within thirty days. Twenty commodi.