Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-10-18
MIR. Maltbie Settles Differences
Between County Food Admin-
istrator Md Merchants.

The merchants of Montgomery county
after receiving letters from the Local Food
Administrator. covering food commodities,
as published In October nth issue of this
paper, requested an opportunity to be
heard, therefore on Friday night last
meeting was held in the Court House at
Rockville, the Local Food Administrator
and Hon. VIM. H. Maltbie, the State Food
Administrator. were present.
The merchants objected to the 20 per
cent profit on food commodities and desired
to know whether they did not have the
right to charge more than 20 per cent
profit on some of them. Mr.. Maltbie an
swered this yes. and explained in a pleas
ing and forcible manner the general scheme
of the Food Administration but also pointed
out that the merchants had the above
privilege provided they only obtained on
line of groceries the total Of 20 per cent
profit on all groceries. which includes many
other articles besides the necessary food
commodities thought to be necessary to
appear in the fair-price list and those
which every household needs.
Mr.. Maltbie said that the credit and
delivery system in effect in most retail
business cost about 8 per cent, whereas
had placed the cost in the county and
County Seat at not more than 5 or 6 per
cent. The merchants seem to be of the
opinion that Mr.. Maltbie's per cent was
correct. This being so, the public should
take notice and while times be good get rid
of this part of the mercantile business and
help the merchants and those who have
always paid cash and carried their grocer
les and goods.
| feel that. II the above be correct, the
public by allowing credit and delivery to
remain are adding costs to themselves and
the merchants to from ten to fourteen
thousand dollars year in the town Of
Rockville alone.
A committee of merchants actively en-
Gagged in business in the county and citi-
zens and the Local Food Administrator
will meet in the law Offices of Bouic &
Bouic. at Rockville. Monday night of each
week, at 7:30. after the publishing of this
notice. giving Mr.. Maltbie an opportunity
to mail to me. as Local Food Administra-
tor, written instructions.
The Federal Food Administration at
Washington city has passed the following
order:
IAN flour shall be sold by retailers and
merchants at not more than 10 per cent on
selling price over wholesale price and
freight to nearest station of general delv-
cry by common carriers"
The wholesale prices of -four by the bar
rel vary somewhat in the county, $40,
$1050 and Sill Next week the Local Food
Administrator will endeavor to explain the
difference for these prices, II there be any
reason for same.
Sugar to be sold in the county for no
more than one cent advance over the cost
and freight. the retailers being expected
to have respect for the half cent, but not
required TO respect the quarter cent.
Granulated sugar should not sell for more
than II cents a pound loose. whereas there
may be little difference in price II retailer
purchases and sells same In sacks.
Butter to be sold at no more than 6 cents
advance on a pound II credit and carry are
required, and cents II cash and carry are
desired by the customer.
Bread Of the ordinary weight. which costs
7 cents, not more than 1-2 cents a loaf
The Local Food Administrator has every
reason to believe that the committee will
only make it necessary to include In the
fair-prlce list for the county only few
groceries known and termed by me as the
necessary food commodities used by all,
as a number Of groceries are luxuries and
those who desire to use same should be
governed by the times.
All persons in the service OF this work
are doing same free Of charge to you or
your government, as well as the news
paper publishers, and personally request
that each merchant dealer and household
Of the county should subscribe for one Of
the county papers. The Press. Kensing-
ton. The Advocate or The Sentinel. Rock
vile, Md, as these papers will furnish you
information as to prices and other matters
Of local and county importance.
C. NORMAN BOUIC.
Local Food'Administrator for Montgomery
County. at Rockville, Md.