New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-10
Will Sell $225,OOO Worth
of Tubers in City at
Cost or Less
Milk Soon to Go Up
Dillon Asserts Price Should
Be Reduced Two Cents,
Not Increased

Boston. March 9.-Ninety thousand
bushels of Maine potatoes were bought
By George w. Perkins through Bos-
ton broker to-day.
Mr.. Perkins, as chairman of the New
York Food Committee, will distribute
the potatoes in that city, selling them
at cost or less, as emergency may re-
quire.
The purchase price was said to be
more than s225,OOO.
/. Elkin Nathans, secretary of the
New York State Milk Dealers Con-.
ference Board, said yesterday that
the increase in milk prices demanded
by the Dairymen's League for the
next six months probably will mean
an increase of two cents a quart 70
consumers. He denied reports that
the distributors had had any under
standing with the farmers organiza-
ton or had acquiesced in the increase
in price. lie said the demands OF the
league, so far as he knew, had not yet
been submitted TO any distributors.
John J. Dillon, State Commissioner
of Foods and Markets. declared that
the milk distributors ought 70 re-
duce the retail price of milk two
cents a quart, instead Of raising 1t.
By selling through stores, he assert
ed, the distributors could pay the
dairymen the increased price, sell
milk at nine and ten cents quart,
instead of eleven and twelve, and still
make money.
There was no good reason, Mr.. Dill
Ion said, for the increase in the re-
tail price last August. AS for the
dairymen, they will be unable to
make any money on milk. even If they
receive the new increase demanded,
the Commissioner said. Their prGhts
are eaten up, he declared, by the hlgh
cost Of farm labor and fodder lie
did not believe the distributors would
fight against the dairymen's new de-
mands.
Potatoes Slightly Cheaper
Inspectors reported yesterday to
Joseph Hartigan. Commissioner OF
Weights and Measures, that potatoes
were slightlc cheaper in the high-
class stores that have been the last
TO cut prices. In such stores they
were sold yesterday at from six 10
seven cents a pound. Yellow onions
were eight to nine cents. There were
larger supplies of sugar but no
change in price.
George ". Perkins. chairman OF the
Mayors Food Supply Committee, ad,
mitted Yesterday that he had received
some complaints from retailers regard
ing the quality Of the Brazilian beans
which the committee is selling through
various stores at eight cents pound
Mr. Perkins issued a statement yester.
day, Offering to replace any bags OF
beans found defective.
Reports had been circulated among
the wholesale trade that Mr.. PERKINS,
beans were not up to standard, ana that
similar beans had been rejected by
dealers here because of the presence OF
"to much animal life" Mr.. Perkins's
statement said the imperfect beans
amounted 10 perhaps per cent 10
Der cent in some bags.
Perkins Places Smelt Order
Mr.. Perkins ordered yesterday an sd-
ditional shipment Of 10000 pounds OF
Pacific Coast smelts. which will arrive
here Tuesday evening. Wednesday and
Thursday of next. They will be sold
al six cents a pound. as were the lOO,-
900 pounds already disposed Of
Reports from retailers late yesterday
indicated the entire supply Of SO,OOO
pounds received Wednesday had been
sold, Mr.. Perkins said. An entire car
Of the new shipment. $4,000 pounds,
will be taken by the Oppenheimer
stores in Manhattan and The Bronx.
The retail price Of rice showed an
increase yesterday, some stores selling
II az seven cents pound.
There is absolutely no reason for
the price Of rice to go up" Mr.. Per-
kins said. "and if it does it's time for
the government 10 get busy. IL Will be
n clear case of price manipulation.
Government reports show that the rice
crop in 1916 was 113 per cent Of the
1913 crop"