Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-13
Pass tho Food Dillsi

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" other necessities of life is essential not
only to the health and happiness Of the
american people. but to the efficient conduct
of the war. Unless the cost of living Is
reduced drastically, the masses OF the people
Will be able neither to pay the taxes and
make the other contributions the war re-
CURES nor to perform the tasks, hard and
toilsome as they must be. without which vic
tory is impossible.
Bread costs more to-day in Richmond.
Chicago and New York than 1t does in Lon
don, Paris or Berlin. or other foods the
same thing is true. Throughout Germany,
although the scarcity Of some commodities
mas become acute prices Of all save luxuries
have been held in check The very efforts
or our government officials. publicists and
newspapers to arouse the people to the
menace of the situation have been utilized
by FOOD spectators to bring about increased
costs. Enormous stocks Of food are held in
storage throughout the country or poultry
alone according to report Of the Depart
ment OF Agriculture, the storage stocks
amount to 54,S34,191 pounds more than
half pound for every man. woman and
child in the United States. and an increase
OF nearly 900 per cent over q year ago.
The Spectator. the hoarder and the
waster are encouraged. virtually, to do their
worst, and we all know how bad their worst
can be- inefficient and extrayagant methods
OF distribution bring temporary gluts to some
markets and temporary famines to others.
William C. Edgar, editor OF the Northwestern
Miller, writes in the Review of Reviews.
Government food control has now become
an absolute necessity, a war measure essen
tial TO the food security of the nation and
Its allies. The situation has got past the
point where individual and private control
can accomplish what is needed" Here is
the testimony of an expert who is a reluctant
witness TO the truths he proclaims
The government is buying it's supplies of
every description at prices radically lower
than the same articles command in the open
market The government Ia paying enough
and more than enough, 1t is likely, but II
can and does, use the pressure of patriotism
TO obtain the modification Of market QUOTA
tons. There is no such relief left open to
the individual consumer. He pays through
tho nose
Relief must be provided. Samuel Gompers.
who headed the labor delegation which
called on the President on Monday, declared
then that the workingman is underfed and
his family with him, and that unless this
condition is changed, discomfort and reduced
output are certain to result. The Chamber
OF Commerce Of the United States, through
Its food administration committee, has given
It's earnest approval to the administration
measures. Organizations OF every character,
from every part of the country. have pleaded
with Congress to enact this legislation The
press is practically unanimous Herbert c.
Hoover. who certainly knows more about
food control than any other American-more.
probably, than any other man-says that
unless the powers asked confded to the
executive before July 1. the verdict OF his
tory will be too late"
Dark forces at work In Washington
to defeat or delay the final passage of these
dis One--the less important-has been
passed by both houses. and is now held up
In conference; the other has just emerged
from the Committee on Agriculture of the
House OF Representatives. The Senate Is
struggling with half dozen variants of
these proposed reforms
There has been enough discussion. Tho
national safety demands action. The coup-
Try oppressed and struggling. calls on Con-
gress for help. and Congress cannot fail to
respond.