The Washington times., 1917-03-17
FOOD STOCKS HERE
AMPLE FOR STRIKE
Only run" on Stores Will
Create Shortage in Case of
Railroad Tie-up.

A food famine can only be brought
about in Washington by housewives
making runs" on groceries and buy
ing abnormal quantities of food.
With the demand remaining normal
and merchants discouraging inflated
sales. the food supply now in wash
ington will answer all needs for
month.
There will be no increase In the
price OF goods because of railroad
difficulties.
This was the encouraging state
ment made by operators of large
chain stores in the District today.
when they reported the receipt of
shipments OF sugar and stable
groceries.
John C. Let's, vice president Of the
Sanitary stores. said that he had an
ticipated the possibility of a railroad
tie-uP, and had for the last month
been laying in a supply OF staples.
He said fifteen carloads OF sugar
were received today.
Ready fer Normal Demand.
1--WE are in business to oblige the
consumer" Mr.. Let's said, "and for
tunately our stores have sufficient
supply to respond to the normal de-
mand for at least a month. II house,
wives become excited and demand I'M
usual quantities, of course, our stock
will not last so long. Clerks in our
stores have been instructed to reas-
sure patrons there is no necessity for
abnormal buying"
This view also was expressed by
operators of other chain stores, and
all were in accord in discouraging the
buying OF excessive quantities, so
Washington residents might be saved
from feeling the pinch OF a railroad
tie-up.
Wholesale houses reported today
the receipt of small supplies late yes
terday and this morning. Moderation
in filling orders from retailers also is
being observed.
when a man wants twenty-five
barrels OF sugar, 1 give him Ave-" said
John H. Wilkins.
Do Danger of Famine.
Washington is in no danger OF
food famine, even in the event OF q
railway strike. according to George
NJ. Roberts. superintendent OF weights.
measures and markets. Mr.. Roberts said
that added to the supply which reaches
the city by boats. sufficient food could
be hauled from adjacent farming areas
TO meet the demand.
The food investigation committee, Of
which Mr.. Roberts is chairman, he said,
has been unable to arrive at an estimate
Of the amount OF food in the District.
Lack Of force. he said. has hampered
the committee in its investigations. He
is Of the opinion. however, that the sup
ply Of canned apd certain high oriced
foods is below normal. His explanation
OF this is that the demands are less and
that dealers are fearful that they will
be overstocked.
The committee has begun the prepara-
ton of its report. which probably will be
submitted to the Commissioners the
first Of next week.
Housewife Makes Report.
The committee today received a let
ter from a housewife declaring she
received goods by freight In October
costing 10 to 80 per cent less than
the prices current in Washington
then.
Sugar cost me cents a pound: it
was cents here" the letter asserted. |
"FOrty-nlne pounds of flour cost me
Sl.92, and fifty pounds here cost $235.
Shredded wheat put up by the same
people cost me IL cents and is sold
here at two packages for a quarter.
My order amounted to nearly S34. !
If bought here il would have cost me |
more than $50. The freight bill was
less than 81. so / saved more than
SIG on the transaction. and had the |
of a we'll stocked pantry |
with every article done up in a sanI- |
tary package and sealed"
The writer said poor distribution |
and lack of system in homes and |
stores was one of the troubles.