Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-08-17
MRS. UNCLE SAM WADES IN
Practical Suggestions Applied Patriotism in Ameri-
Homes How Housewives May Help
Win The Victory
BY MRS. IDA BAILEY ALLEN
REDPATH CAAUTAUQUA

When the question Of conservation
of food is raised, everyone is apt to
think II have no waste" Conversation
means more than the mere utilization
of left-overs, important though this
may be. 1t includes careful buying
the saving OF all nutriment, the re-
ductiOn of fuel, the elimination of lux
uries and the planning of balanced
meals that will keep up the standard
of family health and eliminate doc
tors and dentists bills.
1t means the constant use of the So
called plebian products, as rice, corn
meal COW peas, soy beans, hominy,
samp, peanuts and the like instead of
so much wheat, meat and potatoes, and
that the man of the house must CO.
operate in eating these foods without
crouch.
If every one of the twenty million
housewives of this country would SUBJ
stitute half pound of corn meal day
for flour, a National saving of $780,
900 would be effected. If each one
would institute two meatless days a
week the saving would be $10,000,000,
and by using half pound of hominy
grits instead Of potatoes twice week,
S4,000,000 more would be saved week
ly A total of $16,10O,000 weekly saw
ing from these three economies alone,
which could be donated to the Red
Cross, or invested in Government
Bonds by the American housewife
Patriotism or the great American
appetite! Which is to win?
Two years, or even year ago, the
general proportion of the household
budget allotted to food was approx
mately one third of the income. Now,
nearly one half of the income, up to
twelve hundred dollars, is being spent
for food by the American woman.
During the past few months I have
spoken to 100000 representative
housewives. To each audience I put
the question "How much does it cost
you each week for food? and less
than one fiftieth have known. Of
those self same women I have asked
a second question, "How many of this
audience are provided with a definite
household allowance?" Less than one
sixtieth had none How about this
condition in your own household?
The first step in conservation is a
definite household allowance so that
cash may be paid for all necessities.
Cash in hand there is opportunity for
saving by going to the markets and
groceries and obtaining comparative
prices. This cannot be done over the
telephone. Carry a market basket,
help the store keeper to save delivery
money and paper and string, and make
possible more men at the front.
If there are little children, market
clubs of three or four neighbors may
be formed, each woman taking her
turn in buying, while the others look
after the youngsters. The meals
should be planned week ahead and
the buying done in quantity. 1t is not
enough to simply plan the meals Gas
mother used to do" That is as ole
/ fashioned as a dress of the ffties, fol
the institution of scientifically planned
meals is one of the most important
factors in thwarting the high cost OF
eating Less will be eaten, food bills
must decrease. The balanced ration
means twenty-five per cent. cut from
vour food bills and diminished den
lists and doctors bills, because each
part of the body will receive its proper
quota of food constituents.
If you are addicted to the liquor
habit; to the candy habit; to the gun
habit or to the tobacco habit, just try
the balanced ration. 1t is frequently
a sure cure; moreover the extra change
will amount to an astonishing sum-
at is time for America to correct