South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-21
Housewives League of Amer
lea Sends Appeal to Chief
ExeCutive-Three Duties
Face Congress.
MORE DEMONSTRATIONS
TO BE STAGED BY WOMEN
Spectacular Parade in Which
Half a Million Women and
Children Will PartiCi-
pate is Planned.
international News Service /.

NEW YORK, Feb. q. - Aroused
by food riots and describing the food
situation as chaotic housewives
of America appealed 20 Pres't Will
son today for relief.
In an urgent telegram forwarded
TO the chief executive today, Mrs.
,, Julian Heath. president of the Ma
tional Housewives league, called
upon the president TO use his great
| influence TO alleviate the situation
II is the hope of the housewives that
the president may use his influence
TO secure an appropriation from
congress for a federal investigation
of food costs.
Yesterdays food riots in city han
fplaZa," the telegram said, 'in our
opinion demonstrates conclusively
the vital importance of this investi-
cation. not only TO bring down prices
but to let people feel that the fed
eraI government is in charge Of the
situation. The situation is not only
lserious. but chaotic. The housewives
of America appeal 10 YOU, Mr.. Pres
ident. to use your great influence TO
alleviate the situation and we urge
congress to support you in this
measure.
Must Reduce Prices.
AT the present time congress has
three patriotic duties TO perform"
said Mrs. Heath today. THE first
duty is to provide adequate defense
for our country: the second 10 pro-
vide production and the third TO pro-
vide distribution of food at normal
costs to the people
Personally. l do not favor riot
ing" Mrs. Heath said. but. what
are thesa people to do they are
starving. The situation has become
acute. Women of wealth are flood
| ing the housewives bureau with in
ouiries as TO how they shall cut
down the cost of living. If women
with plenty of money are perpleXed
by living costs. can we blame the
women who have TO run home on
l'sS a week if they resort to riots2
Congress and the federal govern
lment must do something. The
Farmers have said they are going 10
produce only for their own needs
ithis coming summer Then the fed
eral government must step in and
lenforce production, and having
proper production. provide means OF
ldistribution IL seems TO me that
1.-THE only hope of relief can come
Ffron the federal government.
Part of Defense.
ct is a duty as patriotic and vital
40 the duty of national defense. In
The meantime. food riots will go on
and even more serious uprisings viii
occur while the people starve be-
Ecause of abnormal prices.
The under-nourished mothers and
children OF the crowded tenement
districts were grim and determined
TODAY. Food prices must come
down. they declared. or New YORK
will he racked with a veritable reign
OF terror.
MANY spectacular demonstrations
were being pat under way. incluu-
ing a demonstration of 100000
women and children 10 parade the
Offices OF ]. p. Morgan and co. at
Broad and Wall SITS, and demand re-
lief. Other parades to the city hall
and up Flttn dN. were pioiiiiV"-
Between Two Beliefs.
The thousands of women affected
we're torn between two beliefs to-
dav. The dozens of professional ag-
itators-I. W. VS. and Anarchists
who have jumped at the chance 10
aid them counsel for force. beieV-
ing the use Of kerosene dumped on
horded stocks will prove more ef-
| icacious than all the demonstra-
lions possible. Another element
comprising the trades unions and
labor. frown on such methods and
believe that more can be accomplish
ed by peaceable means.
The fervor with which the T. W.
VS. and agitatOrs have taken up
the tenement wOTnen's cause Is
causing the police grave concern. IL
is feared that under the cover OF
demonstrations a series Of bomb out
| RACES may be launched by the more
hot headed adherents TO the cause.