Evening star., 1918-06-03
DENIES SHORTAGE
OF ICE IN DISTRICT
Food Administrator Ascribes
Lack of Supply Yesterday
to Faulty Distribution.
FEDERAL CONTROL LIKELY

ington. according to a statement made
today by Clarence r. Wilson. food
administrator for this city. The fact
that many families were unable to OBJ
tain ice yesterday. which resulted in
much suffering and Inconvenience and
the spelling Of quantities OF food. was
due to faulty distribution rather than
q lack of ice. it is explained.
AS a result Of yesterdays expert
ence and with plenty OF hot weather
staring Washington in the face. Ad-
ministrator Wilson has called a pub
lie meeting to be held in his office, at
18th and 1 streets. this afternoon at
o'clock. at which he has asked each
one of the eleven ice manufacturers
and many Of the ice dealers either to be
present or be represented.
At this meeting Mr.. Wilson wishes
call upon the manufacturers for
statements showing their daily capac-
ity. the amount of ice they now have
in storage and the amount of am
monia and coal on hand.
Will Quote Mr.. Hoover.
Mr.. Wilson also will emphasize the
fact that Food Administrator Hoover
at recent meeting of the federal ad-
ministrators. representing every state
tn nfr1y ~ rln
ly watch the ice situation of their re-
spective districts and to permit no
increases in price; also that Mr..
Hoover considers ice as being so
closely linked with food that the
most stringent means will be taken.
II found necessary. to provide a suffi-
cient supply and distribution. and at
the same time allow only what are
considered reasonable prices.
ut is true that many families in WASH
ington went without ice yesterday" Ad-
ministrator Wilson said today. but the
report that there is shortage OF ice
here Is unfounded and untrue. l hope
the meeting l have called for this after
noon will result in the future avoidance
of experiences like that Of yesterday"
Daily Output Shown.
Figures already in the possession of
the local food administration show that
the eleven local ice-making plants have
a total daily production Of 1.2S5 tons.
These figures do not include number
Of private ice-making machines and an
unused ice plant of thirty tons daily
capacity located in Tenleytown and
which will shortly be taken over by
the quartermaster's department Of the
camps in an about Washington. This
acquisition would naturally relieve the
local situation inasmuch as the manu-
factures now are called upon to sup
ply an enormous amount OF ice daily to
these camps.
ply sufficient to meet the demands OF
the city. unless abnormal conditions
arise, such as an exceptionally long
hot spell. He does not. however. con-
slider the situation Is serious enough
to bring about a reduction in the
stated last week would be done in the
event of a real shortage of ice.
May Take Over Control.
Coincident with washington's ex-
perience yesterday of empty and hot
ice boxes comes an intimation from
Food Administrator Hoover that he is
contemplating taking over the control
of the ice manufacturing business in
In0 country duu 70 ia PAlSCSs co oS-
termined Is he that the food situation
in these war times shall not be ham
pered by faulty handling of ice and
by increased prices. In the latter
case Washington is well fixed. in view
of the fact that Administrator Wilson
arranged a price agreement with the
local manufacturers several weeks
ago, and he has every reason to know
they will live up to it.
1t Is pointed out that one reason
for Administrator Hoover's contem-
plated federal control of ice is to
view to equalizing the supply in all
communities so far as possible. there
by preventing a shortage in any one
community.
Reason Is Assigned.
The withdrawal Of many men from
the ice trade for service in the Army
or war munitions plants and the dam
ger of the loss Of quantities of meats
and vegetables through insufficient
icing is said to be the principal rea-
son for Mr.. Hoover's action.
A survey of the ice factories OF the
country with statistics Of their maxi
mum capacity of output Is in progress
and will be available as soon as re-
ports are received by Mr.. Hoover from
the various state administrators who
a re- conducting the work. Ice storages
are included in the survey.
Food Officials Arrange for
Supplies From Other Towns
Threatened ice shortages in Wash
inrton and Chicago caused the food
today to arrange with
the railroad administration for ship
ments of ice from other towns to meet
their needs. Measures are being