New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06
Home Food Wastage In
creases Draft on World
Supplies, Says Secretary
Fashion Frowned On
Women Cautioned Clothing
Should Be Regarded from
Unitarian Viewpoint

Washington. May 5.-lu an appeal
to-day "to the women OF the United
States" Secretary Houston declares
that they can do their Dit most Ct
fectively in the national emergency by
practising thrift IN their households.
The appeal was prompted by many
requests for a statement as 10 the ser
vice women can render in producing
and conserving agricultural products.
Every woman can render importan'
service 70 the nation IN its present
emergency" says the appeal "Shc need
not leave her home nor abandon her
home duties to help the armed forces
She can help to feed and olothe our
armies, and help TO supply food TO
those beyond the seas, by practising
effective thrift in her own household.
Every ounce Of food the housewife
saves-all food which she or her chli-
drcn produce and preserve every gar
ment which repair makes II unneceS
sarv TO replace all lessen the draft
on the insufficient world supplies.
Must Not Waste Food
ITO save food the housewife must
learn TO plan economical and propeIiy
balanced meals, which. while nourlsh-
nc each member Of the family prop
criv. do not encourage overeatlng OF
offer excessive and wasteful variety.
II is her duty to protect food from
spoilage by heat, dirt, mice or IN
sects: she must acquire the culinary
ability 10 utilize every bit OF edlpIe
food that comes into her home; she
must learn to use such foods AS vege-
tables. beans. peas and milk products
sc martial substitutes for meat, ana
She must see that nothing nutritious
Waste in any household may seem
20 ba insignificant. but if only single
ounce of edible food, on the average
;s allowed TO spoil or to be thrown
away in each Of our 200OO,OOO homes
over 1900 900 pounds of material
would be wasted each day. 1t taxes
the fruit of many acres, and the WORK
of many people, to raise, prepare ahG
distribute AGA 100000 pounds OF 1000
a wear. Every ounce of food thrown
away. therefore, tends also TO waste
the labor of an army of busy citizens
Urged to Drop Fashion
Clothing is largely an agricultural
product, and represents the results OF
labor on the sheep ranges, IN cotton
felds and in mills and factories.
Whenever a useful garment IS need-
lesslv discarded material needed 10
Teen some one warm or dry may be
consumed merely 70 crafty a passing
fancy. Women would do well to look
upon clothing at this time more par
ticularly from the utilitarian point OF
view. H.
Leather, too, is scarce, and the
proper shoeing Of armies calls LOT
great supplies Of this material. lhere
are only so many pairs OF shoes IN each
hide, and there is a shortage Oh am
mails for leather as well as for meat.
Anything that can be done TO encourf
age adults or children TO take care OF
their shoes. and make them last longer,
means that so much more leather IS
made available for other purposes
employed women. especially those
engaged in the manufacture of food or
clothing, also directly serve their coun-
try. and should put into their tasks the
enthusiasm and energy the importance
of their product warrants.
Encourage Thrift.
while all honOr is uue lHe "Vii'',
who leave their homes TO nurse and
care for those wounded IN battle, no
woman should feel that because she
does not wear a nurses uniform she
is absolved from patriotic service. The
home women Of the country, il they
will give their minds fully to this vital
subject of food conservation and train
themselves in household thrift, can
make of the housewives apron a uni
form of national significance.
Demonstrate thrift in your homes
and encourage thrift among your
neighbors.
MAKE saving rather than spending
your social standard.
"Make economy fashionable lest it
become obligatory"