Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-06-07
How To Help Reduce High Prices In
Your Section.
BY F. n. LaBaume, Agricultural and In
duStrial Agent n. & W. Railway.

BY F. n. LaBaume, Agricultural and In
dustrial Agent n. & W. Railway.
II is just announced that the federal
government is investigating the holding
OF 5000 barrels OF Hour by food specu-
lators in Richmond il is reported thai
several thousand bushels OF beans have
been purchased for speculation and are
being held in Lynchburg; We are advised
thatspeculators are travelling through many
sections OF Virginia offering farmers Sl.1o
per bushel on contract basis for their
1917 crop Of potatoes, and the prices OF
all other food stuffS-groceries, meats
and bread-haye advanced from one 10
three hundred per cent during the pas.
few months.
We American people in our mad desire
10 provide for the hiture are responsible
for this riot in food stuff speculation.
While the war situation has its very Sc
rious side, nevertheless the sacrifice that
our men at the front may be called 10
make has IFS compensation in results TO
be. achieved The rapacity OF private
greed, however, that will trade upon the
exiCencies and necessities OF the Ameri-
can people cast into the throes OF war,
will only result in piling up individual
fortunes at the expense OF the masses oi
our people.
The really grea, misfortune that con-
fronts us lies IN the tendency ot our citI-
zenship not 10 recognize The need OF
strict economy. Most OF US are living as
abundantly and induging In as many un-
necessary luxuries today as we did before
the war was declared, and II we will get
together as a whole and reduce our pur-
chases 10 immediate needs and TO The
lowest minimum consistent with good
health, these unpnncipled food specula-
tors will soon be driven TO cover. Let
me give some explicit suggestions
Flour al 5000 per barrel is decided
luxury; corn meal made up into corn
bread is fully as nutritious as wheai Hour
and should constitute at least one-hali
10 two thirds oi our bread diet. Ai OF
us eat too much meat, and every good
citizen should resolve 10 have al least
two meatless days per week, eurtailing
the supply on the other DAYS Green
foods aid vegetables will soon be avail
able in the hundreds oi backyard gafdens
throughout the country, and an abundant
consumption OF these green iood siuiis Is
highly conducive 10 health in the Spring
and Summer seasons.
Above all things. LEI us refrain from
purchasing in quantity 10 take care OF
possible future needs. The purchasing
OF food supplies for future consumption
by the people is just what speeulators
most desire, because II reduces The pres
emf visible supply and thus helps 10 boost
prices. Let us all be patriotic enough
and play the game fairly. so that we VIII
not be induced 10 take advantage OF others
by buying for storage against future needs.
Coal at $50 per ton Is twice the nor
NAL price. Don't buy il now-ihe prob
abilities are that il will moi 90 any higher
and will very likely fall considerably before
needed Tor winter use, and refusal TO pur-
chase now by the masses oi our people
will inevitably result in price decline. Let
all oil US be game and take our lair per-
centage OF the chance oil iunbef increase
by not purchasing beyond our immediate
needs.
II coal and other products sell al sky
high prices laief on, then many oil US can
arrange 10 double up, dividing our home
with a close personal friend and hrs family
or closing up our home and going TO his.
thus relieving US OF The necessity OF pro-
viding heat, light, water and gas iof two
homes during an emergency when we can
we'll afford 10 contribute somewhat oi our
comfort for The eountry's good.
Practically all authorities agree that The
food and fuel supply is much larger than
has been reported. II the American peo-
pie will d. their part In adhefing rigidly
to system OF economical purchases, re-
iusing TO be frightened by The scare head
lines and other exaggerated reports, then
the reduced demand will certainly result
IN prices getting back somewhere a nor
NAL basis. This action on The part oi The
American people is being stressed by The
federal government, and u taken generally
will have greater and more prompt ef-
feet in reducing cost OF living than any
amount OF legislation that could be enact
ed.
Do your psrti Call this article 10 the
attention OF your friends and neighbors;
cut your purchases down TO minimum,
and you will find that the dealers will.
soon be forced TO turn loose vast sriouut
OF supplies that they are boarding 10
higher prices. which they are using every
effort 10 bring about.