New Britain herald., 1917-07-28
LOOK TO GARBAGE
FOR FOOD SAVING
City Will Weigh and Record
Such Refuse


recorded and from the gross weight
will be substracted the weight of the
wagons in order that the city may be
able to furnish all desired information
concerning the same to Herbert =.
Hoover, in charge of the food con-
servation- of the country. A few days
ago Mr.. Hoover telegraphed the mayor
asking for information regarding the
garbage and it's disposal and last night
a supplementary letter was received.
In reply to the letter, which Is mere
with appended, Mayor Quigley assured
Mr.. Hoover of all possible co-opera-
ton and promised to secure such IN
formation as possible:
yesterday I sent you telegram IN
regard to statistics on garbage collec-
ton in your city which requires some
further explanation. l need not en-
phasize to you either the truth or the
Importance of the fact that one Of the
most significant factors in the winning
of the war is the prevention, where
ever possible, of waste. Under the au-
thorfzation of President Wilson, I have
been doing what 1 could during the
past two months to inauGurate a cam
paign of conservation, primarily of
food, and secondarily of other valuable
material which is now wasted and
might be saved. We have reason to
believe that this conservation cam
paign has been effective and is al
ready producing tangible results. One
of the best ways in which the results
of any food conservation work may be
estimated is, it seems to me, by an &C
curate knowledge of the amounts OF
garbage collected in the great centers
Of population during the conservation
campaign, as compared with the
amounts collected when no special eff
fort looking toward conservation was
being made.
so far as I am able to find there
are no comprehensive statistics now
in existence regarding the amount OF
garbage disposed of each month In
the cities of this country. 1t seems
to me imperatively necessary that
we should have statistics at this time,
and therefore I am asking you If you
will not help me put into operation
an effective and continuing statistical
survey of the garbage situation as a
part of the patriotic service which
you and the citizens of your city are
rendering to the country at this time.
am making this request of the
mayors of about one hundred of the
largest cities of this country, with
the full expectation that every one of
them will cooperate with me to the
fullest extent possible in this matter.
AS fast as we get the statistical in
formation, We expect to use 1t for
publicity purposes showing the people
of the country in actual figures just
what can be done on large scale in
the way of saving, If every individ-
ual does his bit
Concretely, what I should like you
to do is to arrange with the proper
authority in your city, whether a mu
nicipal officer or private citizen, who
has charge of the garbage collection
and disposal to furnish me by wire,
as soon as the figures can be sum-
married. after the end of each CAL
endar month. the following facts.
/. The amount Of garbage col
lected in the month for which the
report is made.
2. The amount of garbage col
lected in the corresponding month
of the year 1915.
5. The amount of grease Cor fat,
in whatever form) extracted from
the garbage collected in the month
for which the report is made.
A. The amount of grease Cor fat)
extracted from the garbage collected
in the corresponding month for 1916.
5. If possible, the amount Of gar
bage, tankage and press cake for Ter
tilizer purposes extracted from the
garbage during the month for which
the report is made and for the cor
responding month of 1915.
realize fully that the conditions
of garbage disposal in your city may
be such that YOU cannot furnish
items 8, and 5. If there is any
possibility of getting the figures in
those items I want them, but If they
cannot be had I hope that you will
still make arrangements to furnish
me with the data called for under
1 and 2.
want. if possible. to get these re-
turns beginning with the month of
June 1917 (and, of course, June,
1850.
I have asked Dr. Raymond Pearl,
who has charge of our statistical
work to undertake the organization
Of the collection of these statistics.
We are anxious to get this service In
operation as soon as possible, and it
will greatly facilitate matters if you
will direct the proper person, who
will compile these reports each
month to communicate directly with
DR.. Raymond Pearl in regard to the
details of the matter. addressing such
communications as follows: DIR. Ray
mond Pearl, care of Herbert Hoover.
Washington, D. G.
Assuring you of great appreciation
OF your patriotic cooperation in this
matter. which I am sure T can count
upon 7 am faithfully yours, Herbert
Hoover.