Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-13
HOW WOULD YOU
LIKE TO PAY $50
FOR AFAT GOOSE?
That Is the Price in GERMANY.
Americans in Switzerland
Say

Berne. via Paris, Feb. 13.-Amer-
leans who arrived here from Ger
many with Ambassador Gerard are
congratulating themselves on hav-
ing escaped further wrestling with
'GermanyS. food problem. Butchers
windows, well stocked with assorted
meats, such as are seen here are an
unwonted sight in Berlin. Meat is now
so scarce in the German capital that
II IS never hung in windows to attract
buyers, but is speedily distributed
without advertising. Customers keen
in close touch with the butcher so MS
TO know when the next meager supply
will be on sale.
Practically all meat is sold on a
card emitting each person TO half a
pound weekly, but dishes made of kid
neys, lungs and other scraps can be
bought in restaurants without a card.
Game and poultry are exempt from
the card system and command extra
ordinary prices. The maximum prices
for pork and mutton range from fifty
to seventy cents but a dollar more is
paid at baekdoors for, despite Ger
many's genius for organization, much
sufreptitious dealing prevails. Even
German officials, usually models of
strictest obedience to the laws give
hungry children the advantage of a
loose Interpretation and do not nut
awkward questions.
$50 For a Goose
The ricE of course suffer compara-
lively little. They are still able to buy
high-prtced poultry or fish. TURKEYS.
geese and chickens are still displayed
In windows and bear labels announce
ing that they can be purchased at
from $1.S0 to SLIGO a pound. Cases
brought more than $40. The poorer
people, especially in Berlin, are un-
doubtedly suffering from hunger as
their food is confined mainly to bread,
potatoes, turnips and low grade of
marmalade. 1t is generally asserted
that in the country districts the food
problem is less pressing than in the
Dig cities, producers retaining sup
plies for home consumption.
In spite, however, of the fact that
tood is very scarce one seldom sees
anyone visible showing marks of un-
derfeeding. Some elderly persons and
some anxious mothers look emaciated
and reduced weight is quite general.
A common question asked when
friends meet is: How many pounds
have you lost?" Physicians are writ
ing in the. medical journals that chill
dren are now evidently undernourish-
ed, particularly lacking fats, yet the
merry shedding throngs in the parks
during the last month never suggest
ed lack of food,
Health OF People Better
The general verdict is that the
health of the people is better than
before the war when overeating had
almost assumed the character of a
national besetting sin. Short COM
mons are borne cheerfully and the
people are mostly disposed to jest
over the matter where the pinch is
not too keen! The big crowds at the
variety shows laugh heartily at typical
songs turning upon the shortage of
food and the prevalent issue of substi-
tutes. Men in authority, however.
recognize that Germany is confronted
with problem of growing difficulty.
The next four months are regarded as
especially critical because the supply
Of vegetables. except potatoes and tur-
nips, is practically exhausted. Even
sauerkraut cannot be bought in shops.
but is only doled out by the author
tiles at intervals. The Berlin govern
ment posted placards last week an
nouncing that half pound of sauer-
kraut was assignable for the week on
the Section of the food card calling
for general provisions.