New Britain herald., 1917-07-28
FOOD Committee
BEGINNING ITS WORK
Securing Estimates Of Coal and
Food Supplies

Important business was transacted
at the organization meeting Of the
New Britain Food committee, Hart
ford County Division Of the Connect
icut State Council Of Defense, last
night and various committees were
appointed to begin an immediate sur
vey OF the food and fuel situation in
this city with view to taking all nee
essary steps to provide for New Brit
ain people during the next winter.
The New Britain committee is sub
sidiary committee Of the State Coun-
Gil of Defense and works on co-opera-
ton with that organization. The
committee also has extensive powers
in its line. these having been con-
ferred by a special act Of Che last leg
islature.
Mayor G. A. Quigley, by virtue Of
his office, Is chairman of the New
Britain Food committee. At the mi
tial meeting last night the other
members present were Judge B. F.
Gaffney, Harry s. Tallard, w. B.
Rossberg, F. G. Russell, Fred Par
sons. H. r. Jones, F. H. Afford and
w. H. Hall. The other members were
unable to be present. On motion of
food director for the city and on mo-
ton Of Judge Gaffney Mr.. Jones was
chosen secretary. Mr.. Afford was
elected auditor on motion of Judge
Gaffney.
Investigate Coal Supply.
The first matter taken up by the
committee was the coal situation. At
ter some discussion the question arose
as to how much of supply of coal
for domestic use there is in the city
at the present time. how much has
been ordered and how the estimated
supply will compare with the estimat-
ed orders. A committee consisting
Of Messers Russell, Parsons and
Jones was appointed to take DIP this
matter with the local coal dealers.
The dealers, whose information will
be treated strictly confidentially, will
be asked for an idea of the amount Of
coal handled last year, the amount
expected to be handled this year and
whether or not they expect to be able
to supply all customers at fair price.
Upon the cooperation of the dealers
depends the future action Of the COM
mittee. For instance, if the dealers
can give assurance that they will be
committee will not have to act. On
the other hand, if the dealers show
that thew will be a considerable guam
titv of coal short it will be the duty of
the committee, acting through the
State and National Council of Defense
to Immediately get in touch with the
proper authorities and make plans for
supplying the necessary amount
I<>o,
The question of the production and
conservation of food for domestic"use
was also thoroughly discussed and the
same committee mentioned above was
instructed to secure as near an &C
curate estimate as possible of all the
average planted in this city. The COM
mittee will endeavor to ascertain how
much potatoes, corn, beans and other
have been planted and the
probable crop production, as well as
the probable fruit crop. Then it will
be the duty Of the committee to es-
innate as near as possible the probable
of New Britain. If tho
production does not equal the con-
sumption the committee will take
steps to supply the deficiency.
Following a general discussion on
the great amount Of waste fruit and
vegetable matter because people do not
preserve them, it was voted that Judge
Gaffney be a committee Of one to
thoroughly Investigate the ACCESSIBILITY
Of establishing a community canning
corps where fruits and vegetables
could be brought and canned and sold
to the public at cost. w. H. Hall was
also instructed to secure complete in
formation concerning a de-hydrating
oh ioh ir n 6rV frI1if re
and vegetables. Mr.. Russell and Mr.
Rossberg arc comittee to look up the
quantity of available canning jars and
their cost. The committee then ad-
journed until next wednesday evening
at $50 o'clock, following a brief ses-
sion Of the Municipal Farm committee.
In line with the Food Committees
plan to establish community can