Evening star., 1917-09-11
BAKERS CONFER. ON
CAEAPEN|NG BREAD
FIuctuation in Cost of Ma
teriaIs Chief Hindrance to
Standard Loaf.
LOWER FLOUR MAY HELP

Representatives of the baking indus
try of the country continued their con;
ference today to ascertain what pro-
posals they could make to the food ad-
ministration about reducing the price
Of bread.
About dozen of the leading bakers
Of ths country, who make up the war
emergency council of the National As
sociakion of Master Bakers, are attend-
ing the conference, held at the Lafay-
ette Hotel Among them are Robert L.
Corby and Charles l. Corby of this city.
Discussions so far have centered
largely about production costs and a
minimum profit at which money could
be made commensurate with the sta
bilized price of wheat and the scale Of
profits adopted by the flour manufac-
turers. 1t was stated today that the
bakers are not yet near conclusion
and that the conference probably will
continue through tomorrow.
Did Not Suggest Scent Loaf.
Denial that Herbert c. Hoover. in a talk
to them yesterday. suggested an Scent
loaf of bread, containing fourteen
ounces, today was denied both by the
bakers and by Mr.. Hoover's Office. A
summary of what Mr. Hoover did say to
them was contained in an official state
ment given out at the food admlniStra-
ton which follows:
Food Administrator Hoover told the
bakers that he expects them, through
cooperation, to be able to reduce the
retail price OF bread. While the food
administration. he said. has no intention
to restrict industries, it is of the opinion
that with the price OF flour lowered
reduction in the price OF bread can be
accomplished, through the elimination OF
some wasteful practices and through CO.
operation in the baking business, such
as has been arranged among other in
dustries."
Objections to Standard Loaf.
The chief objection of the bakers to a
standardized loaf has been the f1uctuation
in the cost Of materials. which made it
impossible to maintain a standard loaf
at a standard price. With wheat and
-four prices stabilized. officials Of the
food administration believe the size and
price can be standardized.
AS in dealing with representa- tives OF
other Industries. the food administration
Is anxious that the lowered price be
reached through action of the bakers
, themselves. and therefore they will be
allowed full leeway and time for discus
sion of a minimum profit.
Localized protests against the price Of
wheat established by the committee. head
ed by DIR. II. A. Garfield, is causing lit
tie concern at food administration head
quarters Most of this protest has come
from North Dakota. and Herbert c.
Hoover was invited to attend mass meet
ing to be held at Minneapolis, arranged
by the Non-Partison League. September
16. He will be unable to go. and he deems
his presence unnecessary, since the price
fixing is regarded as closed incident and
it was passed upon not by him. but by
the committee named BY President Wilson.
Confscate Hoarded Wheat.
If effort is made to hold wheat in ele-
vators beyond the thirty-day period per-
mitted by present license regulations the
wheat may be confscated 1t it is held
on the farms the government can't pre-
vent the boarding. but the conditions of
home storage make any extensive practice
of such boarding impracticable, wheat ex-
perts state. Any one who boards wheat
at this time. it was pointed out, takes
big chance because of the possibility.
through peace agreement, of the release Of
r,ra Dtit{os held In RusSia India